Running and Atkins

[shawn]

Starting the Induction Diet Today! Okay, I know we must have some serious runners on the Atkins diet and I do need help! Last year I trained with the Leukemia TNT and ran the 2005 LA Marathon (will the madness ever end?). Got lazy and fell off the wagon but I miss running and will start up with an all levels team again this month. I've been trained to eat CARBS, suck down Carb goo and eat more carbs. I can't find a running site that can help me wisely transition from glycogen to fat burning on a run. A few quick questions:
1. What to expect during transition from carbs to Atkins?
2. What does one eat before a daily run (hate puking outdoors!)?
3. What does one eat on a long weekend run (6-10 miles)?
4. Are there important body signals "fat burning" runners should be aware of?
Thank you to anyone with info and help. - Shawn

[Kent]

Re: Running and Atkins

I am not in the serious runner phase (Betty and Sarah are much closer to that title with their future marathons already scheduled than I with my paltry 15-20mpw and 10k races habit). With that out of the way, I do run and exercise at least an hour a day. Really there is only one really efficient way to transition or kickstart into fat burning, and it is to endure 14 day Induction. You definitely put yourself into ketosis by eating primarily fat (65%) with moderate proteins (30%) and low carb (5%) of your daily Caloric intake. Your body may be sluggish or rebel slightly at first that is normal. It is called Induction flu -- it's a necessary evil, but it is typically over within the first few days at most a week.

The joy is that once you have that out of the way, the fear of bonking is almost entirely gone if you eat normally. Bonking when normal runners are forced to switch to burning something other than carbs never happens as your body already is ready and willing and able to do that normally.

To your questions:
1. What to expect during transition from carbs to Atkins? See Induction Flu. It could be bad, or just be mild headaches and lethargy depends on the person. Just keep drinking water, and eating right (according to the rules)
2. What does one eat before a daily run (hate puking outdoors!)?
Before my race or runs, I typically try to eat at least 1 or 2 hours prior or not at all depends on the length. I give my stomach time to process the food. Remember there is no need for quick fuel as your body can process the fat (slow fuel) well enough to maintain you through the run.
3. What does one eat on a long weekend run (6-10 miles)?
I never eat on my runs -- see my longs runs are typically only 4-6 miles -- take that with a grain of salt. I have done however much longer bike rides (over 30 miles) prior to getting involved in running, and even the snack was something easy to carry (cheese or nuts)

4. Are there important body signals "fat burning" runners should be aware of
?
For me it was just staying hydrated.

Like I said I am not in your class of runner yet at least in length, so there's my help FWIW. I am sure someone will be along shortly to fill in the gaps. One final thought be sure to check out the Weekly Cool Running threads in our exercise forum:

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=14

Starting the Induction Diet Today! Okay, I know we must have some serious runners on the Atkins diet and I do need help! Last year I trained with the Leukemia TNT and ran the 2005 LA Marathon (will the madness ever end?). Got lazy and fell off the wagon but I miss running and will start up with an all levels team again this month. I've been trained to eat CARBS, suck down Carb goo and eat more carbs. I can't find a running site that can help me wisely transition from glycogen to fat burning on a run. A few quick questions:
1. What to expect during transition from carbs to Atkins?
2. What does one eat before a daily run (hate puking outdoors!)?
3. What does one eat on a long weekend run (6-10 miles)?
4. Are there important body signals "fat burning" runners should be aware of?
Thank you to anyone with info and help. - Shawn

[2big4mysize]

Re: Running and Atkins

if as a carby runner you have ever hit the wall that was your body not switching to fat burning.

As yiou begin Atkins your body will need to produce mega amounts of fatburning enzymes carrier molecules and mitochondros in cells which are the site of the fast burning just as it is for the last of the carby burning.

As your body switches it may not be able to keep up with your carb sppeeds and workouts but as you get aclaimated to Atkins you will find you have more energy and better endurance.

Congrats on your LA marathon.

Drinking is very important as Kent said for any workouts you chose to do.

Happy lwo carbing.

[shawn]

Re: Running and Atkins

Hey Kent and 2big4mysize, Thank You! I feel alot more confident about success in running on the Atkins lifestyle.