I joined this forum for the express purpose of trying to get more info on running and carb intake -- I have been eating low carb for about 2.5 years now, I started not to lose weight, but because I was having gnarly acid reflux probs and read that low carb helped - well it certainly did help, no more of those probs. I started running again about a year ago, used to race bikes before, but that was pre-low carb, at the time I was eating more like a zone-type diet, and used to eat balance bars, or just regular sugary drinks during riding. But with running, I can't eat much cos I just get stomach cramps.
Anyway, after like a year I am finally to the point where I can run over an hour at a time, and so I am starting to "run out of steam" at the end of my long runs (don't normally bring anything with me, even water) -- my brother turned me on to the 'fuel belt' thing, which is great, but now I don't know what to fill it with??!!
Do I "need carbs" during a run, and how much, is what I am wondering. I have experimented in the last week with bananas, and accelerade - both times, I felt it did help, but then I get this nasty feeling "sugar crash" about 3/4 of the way into the run. I am so unfamiliear with this feeling, cos I have been avoiding eating carbs for so long!
Would certainly appreciate any low-carb followers who run more than 30 miles per week, giving me info on what if anything they do before/during/after runs to fuel up. I also just ordered that paleo athlete book, hopefully that might help too.
My other problem is that still to this day sugary carby stuff gives me heartburn, although I do find that fruit seems to be tolerated fine.
I will keep experimenting and sharing what happens, perhaps I will find some kind of mix that will work for running. I would love to find "the answer" but maybe it's different case by case.
maybe i should start a new thread with this question as well? I'll check it out.
thanks for any help. 52 miles... man, that's some Dean K type stuff right there!
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