Raw Marathon Runners

[sigtau66]

Hi all. I'm going to begin training to run a marathon on May 23rd with a local running club. It culminates with the Quad City Marathon in September. I currently push out about 18-25 miles a week with my best single run being 5.5 miles.

Anyway, I have some questions I'd like you marathon runners to chime in on if you could. It mainly concerns my stamina/energy levels during long runs. Anything you find that will help me keep my energy up during the runs? Any liquid combinations I should have ready for the runs? How about pre-run? Any particular foods you have found to help you out?

Besides doing the actual run, what I do pre-run and during the run for energy is my biggest concern.

Thanks.

[lafsalot]

Check out Branden Brazier's (a professional triathlete) website - has a lot of info with re: sports nutrition ~ Cathy

[punkspirit]

:D Hello! HERE a marathon runneer:p (well, at the mo I am an EX-runner...)

I can eat LOOOOOADS of bananas... I dont need to eat very special for running... it just works... I am full of energy...

I run my best time once on 10 Miles: I just took this race for fun... so I did not prepare properly... NOT AT ALL ACTUALLY! I FASTED the day before the race and ran about 17-18 miles. The day of the race I ate 3 bananas in the morning. And that was that... I run in tough condishions on a not to easy race my best time... Have no idea why...

[rawzeit]

I've only been 100% raw for about 2 weeks now and I'm not a marathon runner yet, although that is one of my goals. Currently I'm doing a 10-week training program for 15km and, if all goes well, after that I'll do 10-week program for the half marathon. I intend to "compete" in a local half marathon race in October, and maybe a full marathon next year. :)

I run first thing in the morning on an empty stomach -- except for a few glasses of water, I eat or drink nothing. No stamina problems whatsoever. The first half hour or so after running I'm usually not hungry either, although sometimes during the run my tummy rumbles a little. :D

I bring no liquid unless the weather is really hot, though usually it rains. :) Maybe for a full marathon it would make sense to bring some drinks (just water), but during a racing event there will be refreshments along the course anyway.

Eating bananas is probably a good idea, but do that at most two hours before you begin to run, no later. If you eat too close to running, you might get cramps.

But like I said, I haven't done anything beyond 15 km (about 9 miles) yet.

[rawfoodmommy#1]

hello there
I really enjoy reading all the posts. They are great but I have a big question for someone, anyone who lives in Sacramento,CA area or not necessery this area. Do you know any groups for beginning runners? I would really like to join in.
here is some info about me
I have been high raw for about 3 years with some slip ups occacionally. Right now I am trying to do green smoothie spring cleanse. So most of the days I just drink green smoothies and eat a lot of fruits along with drinking water.
I am a mom of a 15 1/2 month old baby boy. And still nursing him along with giving him some raw fruits and veggies which he loves eating.
My goal is to lose 15lbs and get rid of my fat around my waist(so I can actually have a waist line) and getting rid of my ugly abbs (some of it is still baby fat from my pregnancy)
so, please, any body who can help me find a group that I can join that would be awesome and any advise on losing that stubborn after pregnancy fat would be helpful.
thank you all

[Rawmney]

sigtau, I'm experimenting with banana beforehand and raisins on the run (beginning at hour mark). Here's a link from another thread with raw sports drink ideas:
http://www.rawrunner.co.uk/main/index.php?page=articles.php

Best,
Rawmney

[SeraphimDavid]

Hi,
I am training for a marathon in January and am just two weeks into my being back running again. I have been 100% raw since Easter and have gone totally raw once before this, in the fall of 2004. That time, I lasted 9 months before succumbing to the evils of cooked food again....LOL.
This time around, I did a two month transition period to being 100% raw and I feel this helped tremendously, as I feel no cravings for cooked foods this time around.
I'm with you guys as far as finding a raw substitute for the gel packs that are so popular with endurance athletes these days. A friend of mine, who runs a raw food business, suggested date paste. I plan to try out some things when I get to the point of doing the long runs in my training.
There is no question that being raw has helped me in my training. I have bounced back from not running at all for quite a while, to feeling pretty comfortable in less than two weeks. I also have dropped from 165 lbs. to 138 lbs. since Easter, when I went 100% raw. I am 5'10", so I am lean for my height - always a good thing for endurance sports.
Glad to join you guys here,
- David

[aubrey]

I am currently training for a marathon in October here in KC. I have a lot more muscle on me than most women, however, so I need a substantially higher protein intake than most. I have found a terrific product: The Ultimate Meal (which comes in a tin can and can be found with the other protein shake products in the health food store). It is a raw meal derrived 100% from plants, herbs, and grains. It is high in protein and really gives a great energy boost and I also use it for recovery after a long run or workout.

I run in the mornings on an empty stomach, so I don't require any pre-run sustenance. However, I during the run, I do require water and I like for the water to have some wheat grass juice in it. The wheat grass really gives me a kick, a sudden burst of energy, and really helps sustain me.

After my runs, I juice pineapple and cherries as both are good for inflammation and the joints and will sometimes take a tablespoon of garlic juice combined with cayenne pepper if I feel especially sore. Its an excellent recovery!

[salsababy]

I agree with Lasalot's suggestion of Brendan Braziers The Thrive Diet. I am currently using his recipe suggestions and I think they are great. He has raw electrolyte juice recipes, smoothie recipes that have added nutrients, recovery puddings, energy snacks, etc. I use his recipes but don't go by his meal plan as I tend to like green juice and only fruit for the first half of the morning. Other than that, excellent book. Highly recommend it.

BTW- I am gearing into training mode again for some marathons towards the end of the year also.

[durianrider]

my pb is 3;06 and im gonna go sub 3 this year..

dr doug graham coaches all the raw runners...

www.runningraw.com is inspirational.

after ditching fat and eating super sugar im doing 50km solo training runs for fun. so im running further than marathon distance in training..for me as a chronic fatigue sufferer in the past..this feels pretty cool!

[Bobbie]

FIR Saunas are good for losing fat. They burn calories while you sit and relax.

Fruit blended with water and spirulina always gives me an energy boost. If I'm falling asleep it makes me wide awake again. So presumably would be good for marathons when you reach exhaustion?