Clyde Wilson was a naval service member who enjoyed weight training and working out, when his doctor on the USS Carl Vinson informed him he was on the verge of needing medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol. After making a transformative change in his nutritional habits, he went on to study chemistry and cell biology at Stanford and now teaches there and the University of California San Francisco Medical School. In addition, he runs The Center for Human Nutrition and Exercise Science in Palo Alto, California.
This month, we asked Dr. Clyde to weigh in about the lethargy many runners struggle through after a long run.
1. When many runners finish a big long run, often they report feeling extremely lethargic and low energy for much of the rest of the day, even after eating. From a nutrition perspective, what may be going on here?
Athletes need to replace their carbohydrate losses from training at a rate that their muscles are willing to absorb those carbohydrates. If you burn 1000 calories in a workout, roughly 800 calories of which are carbohydrate, and attempt to replace all of those carbohydrates at one sitting, the over-flow of calories into your bloodstream will send more than half of it to fat cells, where the carbohydrate will be converted into fat.
Therefore, eating enough calories is not enough.
The calories have to go into lean tissues to actually help you recover. Not eating enough is another way to fall short. So the athlete has to eat enough carbohydrate, but spaced out over time or eaten with vegetables so that the carbohydrate calories enter the body at a rate muscle is willing to absorb them. Protein helps re-build lean tissue but is unrelated to the feelings of lethargy after hard training.
2. What are some best bet tips on things runners can do after the run to avoid that day-long bonky feeling?
It has been proven that proper hydration can drastically improve race results but many runners have trouble drinking water and sports drink while on the move. The constant motion jostles your stomach which is already void of necessary blood resources which are attentive to your leg muscles. This is one of the many reasons that the art of hydration is essential.
We use the word ‘art’ as opposed to ‘science’ because there is a limited amount of calories and fluids that can be utilized intra-run (unlike cycling, walking and other activities). Because of this we recommend experimentation to determine the most effective personal hydration routine (ie. Much like runcoach training the below is not a one-size-fits-all assignment. Experiment and find the routine that works best for you).
Here are some tips to get started:
For runs longer than 75 minutes or runs in the heat, you will need more than just water. We recommend sports drinks containing sugar and salt in appropriate quantities. Here are some tips to pick the right drink for you:
Start refining your personal art of hydration at least 10 weeks prior to race day and practice before, during and after most runs. Here are some tips for refueling on the run without carrying a water bottle:
The exact amount you need to drink can be tricky and will vary from person to person. Here’s a science project to help you learn about your hydration needs:
Example: if you weighed 160 before a 90 minute workout and then weigh 157, you have lost 3 pounds and require 48 ounces of liquid. Your schedule for a similar event would be 8 ounces every 15 minutes to maintain your weight.
Note: This is just an example. Please try this yourself and keep in mind that the amount you need will vary depending on the temperature, humidity and other personal physiological factors.
Proper hydration can improve your race results from 5K to the Marathon. Invest some time into the development of your art of hydration.
Did you know that water does more than just keep you hydrated? Obviously, that is an important role, but water is essential in your body for three other important tasks.
1-Water helps transport nutrients to the working muscles during training
2-Water eliminates waste products (like lactic acid) during high intensity training
3-Water works to keep your core temperature cooler by dissipating heat through sweating
The ramifications of not having enough fluid in your system can start with just 2% fluid loss. Headache, lack of concentration, dizziness, fatigue, inability to recover, and overall decreased ability to perform. Nothing that helps your training or allows you to work hard towards your goals. To avoid any of these happening to you this summer, here are a few things to include in your daily routine.
1-Drink 8-12 ounces of water when you first wake up to kick start hydration
2-Drink more than just water. Adding in electrolyte beverages will help your cells saturate with fluid and not dilute your body’s natural salt chemistry
3-Drink consistently throughout the day. Keep a water bottle with you at all times
Hold up your water bottle in a toast to quality summer training and good hydration!
Fueling for your First Marathon
So you're g up for a big spring marathon and have been checking all the boxes. You are logging tons of miles, nailing all your workouts, and even have your race day kit and shoes picked out weeks in advance. But, have you considered your marathon fueling strategy yet?
One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of marathon racing, is mid-race fueling. You body will endure a great deal of stress and will require carbohydrates and fluids to stay strong all the way to the finish line. The chances of hitting that "wall" are much less if you have been getting in a steady stream of calories and fluids throughout the race- But where should you begin?
Research shows that the body is able to process 40-60 grams of carbohydrates per hour during exercise. While it would be fantastic for everyone to have their own personal bottles out on the course, just like the elites, this is not possible. So…what do instead? I recommend taking water every 5k, about 6-10 ounces, and a bit more if racing in hot conditions. A trick I learned is to squeeze the cups at the top to get the most out of each. In addition to water, I recommend taking a gel every 5k as well. Gels contain about 20 grams of carbohydrates and are easy to stash in shorts, sports bras, and pockets. Gels, combined with water, are a great option to help keep you hydrated and fueled all the way to the finish.
If the idea of taking gels is not appealing to you, I recommend checking out the race website to see what sport drink will be offered out on the course. You can purchase this ahead of time and practice using it during your long runs to make sure everything sits right. Which brings me to the most important aspect of mid-race fueling, practicing your strategy ahead of time.
It’s important to practice using gels and fluids during your long runs and workouts to make sure your stomach is able to tolerate the calories. Your body will get better and better at processing mid-run fuel so nailing down a strategy early on in your build up is key. Without practicing ahead of time, you run the risk of experiencing mid-race GI distress-something no runner wants to deal with!
So hit your local running store and give a few different gel brands/flavors a try to see which one you’ll want on race day. You can also pick up many commonly used sport drinks at these stores as well. Practice your fueling strategy early on in your build up and often, then go check that final box! Happy Running!
Ironman triathlete, ednurance runner & caterer, Brett Miller, shares his tasty Mixed Fruit Steel Cut Oatmeal recipe with us as part of our new series – Performance Fuel!
Mixed Fruit Steel Cut Oatmeal
As busy professionals, athletes, moms, or anyone on the run throughout the day, breakfast is probably the most neglected meal. The go-to breakfast of a bowl of cereal, or that muffin at Starbucks as you make your way to work may satisfy the taste buds, but it leaves you hungry in an hour as your sugar levels spike and then energy levels drop. In our effort to help create a sustained energy level, and longer satiation of hunger. Runcoach has some recommended meals that are easy, healthy and taste great! This can be your first step in taking out a big chunk of processed foods from your diet too!
Our first breakfast up is Steel Cut Oatmeal with Mixed Fruit. This breakfast can be made ahead of time, and kept in the fridge for 4-5 days so it’s ready when you need it with just a quick warm-up in the microwave. You’ll find your hunger at bay longer through the morning, as well as better managing your blood sugar, improving energy levels.
With just a few purchases, you can be ready to make your own tasty oatmeal.
This can be made dairy-free, as well as gluten free. You’ll have to find Gluten Free Steel Cut Oats on Amazon or a specialty grocer for the gluten free version though.
Servings: 4-6 8oz servings
Ingredients:
Directions:
For stove top
Now you have a batch of a healthy, tasty, balance breakfast, ready to go when you are! Make sure you fuel your body well for the long day ahead. This is also a perfect pre long run breakfast!
The Caffeine Taper
Try cutting back caffeine during training to just workout days and long run day. Drink decaf, or a caffeine free tea as an alternative on the recovery and off days (if you still feel like you want and enjoy the routine). This will help you feel more energized to crush your hard training and will prepare you for race week when it is recommended to refrain from caffeine the 4 days leading into your race. Removing caffeine before an event helps create a heightened sensitivity, and when you have caffeine on race day, you will feel great!
The pros outweigh the cons as long as you practice to determine which source of caffeine and how much of it works for you. Once you develop a routine of incorporating caffeine into your training and racing, we look forward to hearing how you feel your performance has increased both with fitness and proper application of the ergogenic aid of caffeine!
