Long distance walking and Low Carb help

gwynhyvar · 02-06-2010, 01:50 PM

Hi all,

I am training to walk a marathon, and I was wondering if anyone here has experience with distance walking and low carb?

All the products and food they are pushing is high carb, sugary junk. I need help, advice on what to eat before a walk, during, and after...

Thanks!!!

westside · 02-07-2010, 10:05 AM

I would focus mostly on training to walk a marathon and not so much on special nutrition.

You might want to try things like bars that are balanced with carb/protein/fat. Watch out for bars and products that are loaded with vitamins. One bar is okay but multiple bars over a short time frame can hand you a vitamin overload. You also might want to carry a hip pack and put in some fruit like an apple or orange.

I would stick with water but be careful not to overdrink since you will be out there for a long time. After a few hours, having something salty might be a good idea. I'll often see cut-up PayDay bars in a bowl on the table at ultraendurance events. Get use to walking for while, like 60 minutes and then eat something. When you're out on a training walk though, for just an hour or two, I would try to go with just water as long as your nutrition was decent beforehand. It could be a 100-200 calories an hour after the first hour but I'm not sure you would need the higher end when walking, it just depends.

ab1ht · 02-08-2010, 05:27 AM

First, good for you! There are a number of marathoners around here.

Westside has good advice, especially about not over drinking (see Hyponatremia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

Training for a marathon, whether walking or running, is more about conditioning your muscles and joints than about the fuel you eat during the event. If you can pack and bring your own food on the event, then do it.

Personally, I'm not a fan of packaged junk bars, but that's just me. If I were walking an event like this, I would pack something like bananas/apples and peanut butter. While it is more sugary than I would eat during a work day, it's "real" food and should be fine during an endurance event. I think some Gatorade is also acceptable since it will help with the electrolyte balance.

Please keep us posted. What event are you walking?

GME · 02-08-2010, 05:57 AM

If I'm going out for a long time I usually eat oatmeal with dried fruit and nuts before I go. I've never eaten while on a run (but I've only done a HM- you are going twice as long). To drink I like Powerade Zero.

When I did the half I just drank water and I made it OK, but I started cramping up as soon as I crossed the finish line- that wasn't fun. I should have taken the Powerade but I didn't want to carry it. They were only offering Gatorade (as well as water) on the course and I can't stomach the stuff. Next time, I'll carry some Powerade and drink the course water.

Good luck & congratulations!

gwynhyvar · 02-08-2010, 07:26 AM

Paul, I'm walking the Rock N Roll Seattle Marathon, training with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. Basically, we fundraise to help the LLS and pay our way to the marathon, and in return, they take us step by step (literally!) through the training to complete the event. It's an amazing group of people and I feel so fortunate to be able to do this!

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll definitely look out for the Powerade Zero, and experiment a bit with my own food. We're only at the 3-4 mile mark so far, so I've got some time to tweak.

Gina, I LOVE your idea of winning! May I borrow it?

ab1ht · 02-08-2010, 07:37 AM

Yes, I'm familiar with TNT. Look closely at my avatar

That was my first marathon. I'd love to do TNT again, but that was a LOT of money for me to raise.

GME · 02-08-2010, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwynhyvar

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll definitely look out for the Powerade Zero, and experiment a bit with my own food. We're only at the 3-4 mile mark so far, so I've got some time to tweak.

Gina, I LOVE your idea of winning! May I borrow it?

Sure!

Oh, and IMO, strawberry is the best flavor of the Powerade Zero. The others are OK too, but SB is the best. I have a neighborhood run that is just the right length (55 min) to put a warm one in the freezer before I go out and it is just barely frozen and slushy when I get back. I live at the top of a hill and it keeps me going that last half mile or so to think about it waiting for me with its pink, icy goodness.

ab1ht · 02-08-2010, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GME

Oh, and IMO, strawberry is the best flavor of the Powerade Zero.

I agree.

gwynhyvar · 02-08-2010, 08:30 AM

Paul, yes, that's the daunting part for me, the fundraising.

Gina, thanks for the tip on the strawberry flavor, and putting it in the freezer. Mmm, I may have incentive to hoof out in the snow with the dog today.

And, I just wanted to add I think you live in my old neck of the woods, er, beach. I miss the foggy mornings and the smell of the ocean.

Thanks for your help and suggestions!

ab1ht · 02-08-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwynhyvar

Paul, yes, that's the daunting part for me, the fundraising.

You need to post a thread and put your fund raising link in your siggy.

See: http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/be...d-raising.html

gwynhyvar · 02-08-2010, 11:07 AM

How's this?

ab1ht · 02-08-2010, 12:08 PM

Nice. Which one are you in the picture?

$4000 is a lot! Is that the minimum required or your personal goal?

gwynhyvar · 02-08-2010, 12:11 PM

I'm second from the left, the shortie in front.

Our minimum is $3800; I just rounded up a teeny bit.

02-06-2010, 01:50 PM	#1
gwynhyvar Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: West Coast Dreamin' Posts: 665 Gallery: gwynhyvar Stats: 243.8/222.4/130 WOE: Paleo Start Date: Jan 3, 2011	Long distance walking and Low Carb help Hi all, I am training to walk a marathon, and I was wondering if anyone here has experience with distance walking and low carb? All the products and food they are pushing is high carb, sugary junk. I need help, advice on what to eat before a walk, during, and after... Thanks!!!

02-07-2010, 10:05 AM	#2
westside Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Olympic Valley, CA Posts: 2,668 Gallery: westside Stats: Start 199/186/175 Start Date: 2/17/12	I would focus mostly on training to walk a marathon and not so much on special nutrition. You might want to try things like bars that are balanced with carb/protein/fat. Watch out for bars and products that are loaded with vitamins. One bar is okay but multiple bars over a short time frame can hand you a vitamin overload. You also might want to carry a hip pack and put in some fruit like an apple or orange. I would stick with water but be careful not to overdrink since you will be out there for a long time. After a few hours, having something salty might be a good idea. I'll often see cut-up PayDay bars in a bowl on the table at ultraendurance events. Get use to walking for while, like 60 minutes and then eat something. When you're out on a training walk though, for just an hour or two, I would try to go with just water as long as your nutrition was decent beforehand. It could be a 100-200 calories an hour after the first hour but I'm not sure you would need the higher end when walking, it just depends. __________________ Bill Last edited by westside; 02-07-2010 at 10:24 AM..

02-08-2010, 05:27 AM	#3
ab1ht Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Westborough, MA (USA) Posts: 3,272 Gallery: ab1ht Stats: 160+/143/sub-140 (stretch goal) WOE: Eating what Mother Nature provides Start Date: December 2007	First, good for you! There are a number of marathoners around here. Westside has good advice, especially about not over drinking (see Hyponatremia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). Training for a marathon, whether walking or running, is more about conditioning your muscles and joints than about the fuel you eat during the event. If you can pack and bring your own food on the event, then do it. Personally, I'm not a fan of packaged junk bars, but that's just me. If I were walking an event like this, I would pack something like bananas/apples and peanut butter. While it is more sugary than I would eat during a work day, it's "real" food and should be fine during an endurance event. I think some Gatorade is also acceptable since it will help with the electrolyte balance. Please keep us posted. What event are you walking? __________________ Paul

02-08-2010, 05:57 AM	#4
GME Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: CA Coast Posts: 6,724 Gallery: GME Stats: 250/175/175 And again...223/208.4/146 5'7 WOE: Misc. Start Date: April 2000 (the first time)	If I'm going out for a long time I usually eat oatmeal with dried fruit and nuts before I go. I've never eaten while on a run (but I've only done a HM- you are going twice as long). To drink I like Powerade Zero. When I did the half I just drank water and I made it OK, but I started cramping up as soon as I crossed the finish line- that wasn't fun. I should have taken the Powerade but I didn't want to carry it. They were only offering Gatorade (as well as water) on the course and I can't stomach the stuff. Next time, I'll carry some Powerade and drink the course water. Good luck & congratulations! __________________ Gina

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02-08-2010, 07:26 AM	#5
gwynhyvar Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: West Coast Dreamin' Posts: 665 Gallery: gwynhyvar Stats: 243.8/222.4/130 WOE: Paleo Start Date: Jan 3, 2011	Paul, I'm walking the Rock N Roll Seattle Marathon, training with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. Basically, we fundraise to help the LLS and pay our way to the marathon, and in return, they take us step by step (literally!) through the training to complete the event. It's an amazing group of people and I feel so fortunate to be able to do this! Thanks for the suggestions, I'll definitely look out for the Powerade Zero, and experiment a bit with my own food. We're only at the 3-4 mile mark so far, so I've got some time to tweak. Gina, I LOVE your idea of winning! May I borrow it?

02-08-2010, 07:37 AM	#6
ab1ht Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Westborough, MA (USA) Posts: 3,272 Gallery: ab1ht Stats: 160+/143/sub-140 (stretch goal) WOE: Eating what Mother Nature provides Start Date: December 2007	Yes, I'm familiar with TNT. Look closely at my avatar That was my first marathon. I'd love to do TNT again, but that was a LOT of money for me to raise.

02-08-2010, 08:30 AM	#9
gwynhyvar Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: West Coast Dreamin' Posts: 665 Gallery: gwynhyvar Stats: 243.8/222.4/130 WOE: Paleo Start Date: Jan 3, 2011	Paul, yes, that's the daunting part for me, the fundraising. Gina, thanks for the tip on the strawberry flavor, and putting it in the freezer. Mmm, I may have incentive to hoof out in the snow with the dog today. And, I just wanted to add I think you live in my old neck of the woods, er, beach. I miss the foggy mornings and the smell of the ocean. Thanks for your help and suggestions!

02-08-2010, 11:07 AM	#11
gwynhyvar Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: West Coast Dreamin' Posts: 665 Gallery: gwynhyvar Stats: 243.8/222.4/130 WOE: Paleo Start Date: Jan 3, 2011	How's this?

02-08-2010, 12:08 PM	#12
ab1ht Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Westborough, MA (USA) Posts: 3,272 Gallery: ab1ht Stats: 160+/143/sub-140 (stretch goal) WOE: Eating what Mother Nature provides Start Date: December 2007	Nice. Which one are you in the picture? $4000 is a lot! Is that the minimum required or your personal goal?

02-08-2010, 12:11 PM	#13
gwynhyvar Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: West Coast Dreamin' Posts: 665 Gallery: gwynhyvar Stats: 243.8/222.4/130 WOE: Paleo Start Date: Jan 3, 2011	I'm second from the left, the shortie in front. Our minimum is $3800; I just rounded up a teeny bit.