Distance Runners?

[meow]

Hey everyone, any distance runners out there? I'm asking b/c I've been a runner for about 7 years now (started at age 15 in h.s. track/cross-country). I have always loved running, but I have NEVER enjoyed it as much as I do since going 100% raw! My body just seems to thrive on this diet and many of my runs seem almost effortless, and I always want to get out and get moving! It's great. I did my longest run in about 2 mos. yesterday (7 miles...not much but I'm building up my mileage for a spring half) and I'm not at all sore today or anything. I'm about to head out for a 4-miler and I'm looking forward to it! In the past I could barely move the day after a longer run, lol. My old injuries have also not flared up this time around, which I attribute to eating so many live enzymes (to repair any damage to the muscles) and to the fact that most raw & living foods are anti-inflammatory.

Has anyone else experienced this? Also, I'm definitely planning on doing a half marathon this spring and possibly building up to a full in the fall (however due to previous injuries a full may never be possible). I was wondering what other distance runners generally eat in a day, and how you fuel for long runs (like what you eat before a run). I tend to eat tons & tons of fruit, some veggies/greens at night, and around 10-20% of calories from fat, mostly seeds & nuts/nut butters. I've never trained for a distance event while eating raw, so I just want some input as to the right way to go about it! There are so many runner's websites/forums out there, but I haven't found advice on training while eating raw (in fact, I think the majority of other runners would call me crazy!).

Thanks and happy running:cool:

[Blazin'Jane]

I don't run any more, since 1982 or so when my back caved in. However I do bike and swim a fair amount and I feel much stronger at both events. I know I'm riding 2 or 2 1/2 mph faster, and I just have all sorts of energy swimming. RAW rawks! :D

[deberaw]

Good question and good for you with all that running! I used to do distance...now just do short distances as much as I can {tricky with 3 kids...Michigan winter {thought it is mild now}, but anyways, just wanted to say that for after a good long run I LOVE a young coconut: water and meat put in blender with some ice and a dash of vanilla.....blend until thick...very refreshing and hydrating! .............usually before I have a green juice {spinach, romaine, whole lemon, 2 apples...maybe some ginger}........I hope you gets good responses to your question!:D

[nfracer]

Please join our fitness thread, runners there, moi included!
:D
http://rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=36071

[hydrohawk]

I am a marathon runner who is trying to go more raw. I haven't mastered eating for fuel and feel sluggish on my runs longer than 7 miles. I am wondering what other athlete eat around their longer workouts? What do raw marathon runners take with them when they run, I have used Gu in the past, but would like raw suggestions? My next marathon is at the end of April, and I would like it to be RAW!!! Thanks

[Eva]

hydrohawk: Date soak water is a great replacement for 7 miles plus if you want to have something like gu. You can just put it in a water bottle to carry it along. :)

[nfracer]

Here are my favorites:

water with maple syrup (not rraw) or agave
homemade juice (celery-carrot-apple is a great combo for electrolyte replacement)
ORANGE SLICES
REPEAT: ORANGE SLICES
bananas
"trail mix" concoction of maybe raisins, chopped dates, banana chips, etc...
Lara Bars


With trial and error you will learn what your body likes best. Boston (which is the race I assume you are referring to?) CAN be warm or cold right? So, you may have to wait and see. However, have no fear-the crowd is fantastic and it's a virtual smorgasboard along the way. It's a huge deal there and kids were giving out fruit the entire way...I had bananas, oranges, and enough water......Good luck!

[Revvell]

You might wish to listen to my interviews with marathoner and tower racer Tim Van Orden here: http://rawfood.revvell.com/.

Revvell

[SuziS]

I used to do distance before raw. I plan to get back to it this Spring. I really miss it. When I run now, it seems easier and more effortless than before raw. If I could just get more regular with my running I would be all set!

[jeanneroth]

Hi and welcome!
I am an ironman triathlete and have just gone raw. I am using Brendan Brazier's book, Thrive Diet. Now, i will say that he is not 100% raw. but is 100% vegan. You dont have to eat the non raw items, but he has formulas for sport drinks, energy bars and recovery drinks. I have been using his book for about 2 weeks and really love the energy bars and recovery drinks.

I also second Revvell's suggestion about the interview with Tim Van Orden. He has a great website, Runningraw.com. Its a great interview. I have learned so much from her podcasts being a newbie.

I find that I do better with less fat and because I am new to raw, I am battling some candida, so I am laying low on fruits. Just mixing them into my smoothies. I eat lots of almond butter with celery after workouts and drink lots of celery juice and use it in my smoothies. I used to cramp a lot and now since going raw, don't cramp anymore. (so happy!:D )

You will find that everyone has a different opinion about raw and you have to figure out what works for you.

HTH

[Angie]

I am new to raw food, new to veganism (although i was a vegetarian a few decades ago.) Question: when you start out, what is the impact on your fitness? I have read a lot of these threads about runners improving thier time etc. ..but is there a period where your performance suffers before it gets better? I feel fine and energetic (after 8 days raw) but I am tired and slow on the bike.
I take dehydrated sweet potatoes, raw organic food bar, some dried apricots, so I'm eating enough on the bike, but I'm used to doing ~50 to ~80 miles on any Saturday or Sunday, and this weekend I'm pooped out in ~20. I can do the whole ride, but I'm slow and have no zip.
I guess I'm hoping someone will confirm that "this is just an adjustment period":p
and if so, I'm hoping y'all will say, "you'll feel better next...week?/ month?...

[nfracer]

I am new to raw food, new to veganism (although i was a vegetarian a few decades ago.) Question: when you start out, what is the impact on your fitness? I have read a lot of these threads about runners improving thier time etc. ..but is there a period where your performance suffers before it gets better? I feel fine and energetic (after 8 days raw) but I am tired and slow on the bike.
I take dehydrated sweet potatoes, raw organic food bar, some dried apricots, so I'm eating enough on the bike, but I'm used to doing ~50 to ~80 miles on any Saturday or Sunday, and this weekend I'm pooped out in ~20. I can do the whole ride, but I'm slow and have no zip.
I guess I'm hoping someone will confirm that "this is just an adjustment period":p
and if so, I'm hoping y'all will say, "you'll feel better next...week?/ month?...

My experience/knowledge has proven that when you first start leading a living foods lifestyle you "detox" through your "weakest link." I had food intolerances and IBS so as I transitioned to raw foods I "bonked" and had digestive issues that ultimately led to a few "awkward moments" while out on a run....About 2 weeks into 100% raw I had a bad bad "reaction" while in the middle of a 12 mile run and had to make many stops if you know what I mean....By the time I made it home I was in digestive agony....Honestly though, once I got through that I "bounced back" and felt better than ever....So, to answer your question I think you MAY face short term backsliding in your workouts but in the long run you will feel better.

If you are "new to raw" your body is working hard on the inside to release toxins so it ultimately will affect you on the outside right...Again, we are all different...But being an athlete you will most likely notice the subtle differences.....Work through the pain!!!! "PAIN IS JUST FEAR LEAVING THE BODY!"


good luck!

[hydrohawk]

WOW! Great stuff here, thank you everyone....!! I am so impressed and excited and everything. As far as bonking, I have felt the same way my last few workouts, but I am also under SO MUcH stress right now, I honestly am not able to pay attention to my body's reactions to raw vice non raw, I will say though, I really think raw is helping me stay grounded and sane; Next week the big deadline will pass ( hopefully) and i will be able to contribute more to how I am felling as an athlete, and I will get to try new raw sports snacks. The pod casts WERE great, I look forward to listening again!
THANKS REV for those! ALSO, If anyone is training for an event, amybe you'd wanna keep in touch via personal e mail to share experiences!?! I am training for my next marathon, which will be at the end of april. ahydrohawk at yahoo Kim

[hydrohawk]

WOW! Great stuff here, thank you everyone....!! I am so impressed and excited and everything. As far as bonking, I have felt the same way my last few workouts, but I am also under SO MUcH stress right now, I honestly am not able to pay attention to my body's reactions to raw vice non raw, I will say though, I really think raw is helping me stay grounded and sane; Next week the big deadline will pass ( hopefully) and i will be able to contribute more to how I am felling as an athlete, and I will get to try new raw sports snacks. The pod casts WERE great, I look forward to listening again!
THANKS REV for those! ALSO, If anyone is training for an event, maybe you'd wanna keep in touch via personal e mail to share experiences!?! I am training for my next marathon, which will be at the end of april. ahydrohawk at yahoo ~Kim

[megangoesraw]

Ahhh that's sounds SO GOOD!!! That coconut drink I'm going to have to try. Sounds to die for!!



Good question and good for you with all that running! I used to do distance...now just do short distances as much as I can {tricky with 3 kids...Michigan winter {thought it is mild now}, but anyways, just wanted to say that for after a good long run I LOVE a young coconut: water and meat put in blender with some ice and a dash of vanilla.....blend until thick...very refreshing and hydrating! .............usually before I have a green juice {spinach, romaine, whole lemon, 2 apples...maybe some ginger}........I hope you gets good responses to your question!:D

[Maui Girl]

Hi, I am also a long distance runner getting back into action myself. I have been playing around with Alissa's bread and cracker recipes trying to make a protein bar. I have used a combination of nuts with banana, dates, figs and even tried her corn tortilla recipe and added extras. I do not dehydrate all the way so it remains chewy. I still have to try other combinations. So far, so good.

I drink several leaf shakes in addition to my meals, if you add banana it will be more filling. If I don't, I will not last through a long run.

My favorite post run meal is Alissa's enchiladas and a banana shake with papaya, berries and almond milk.. Oh so yummy.

Has anyone tried making any bars?

[meow]

thank you for all those great responses! unfortunately i have been injured with a severe concussion for the past 1.5 months and am only just beginning to run again (it still feels great though, i didn't lose any fitness b/c i was able to do low-impact cardio). anyway your suggestions for what to eat to fuel those miles are great, and it's nice to see that there are other very active raw foodists out there!

i wanted to reply to angie- if you are new to veganism & raw foodism, you might be low on iron &/or B12. i know i become anemic within days if i stop taking my iron supplements, and the first time i went 100% raw i wasn't supplementing and i felt very sluggish, weak and got weird tingley sensations in my arms/legs while running. this time around i've been supplementing and feel AMAZING. just something you may want to try! make sure you're eating enough, too.

[nfracer]

OK, I want to be in Maui right now-no fair! Our winter just seems to be winding up instead of fading away!!!! Frustrating for someone itching to run outside.....Today is my long run and ((gulp)) I will be treadmill bound....I think I can, I think I can.......I'll start by walking and trick my body!!!! usually works. It's more psychologically daunting than anything....yuck
Meow-glad you are recovered from your concussion! That's frightening. I hope you are bouncing back to normal!
Hydrohawk-What marathon are you training for? I am doing one in Ottawa (Ont-CA) in May + my first triathlon in June.....I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to qualify for Boston again but if I can't get outside soon I am going to go bonkers! Do you know how hard it is to run 15-20+ miles ON A TREADMILL!!!! OK, I'll drop the treadmill trash talk. glad to see this thread revived.....time for tea and then get ready to rawk!

I prefer kombucha and some fruit before a run-nothing during a run- and pineapple-parsley "pudding" afterwards is refreshing to me (that's exactly what I'm eating in my pic. avatar I think!) Happy trails!

Have you run today??????

[OrganicKris]

I am new to raw food, new to veganism (although i was a vegetarian a few decades ago.) Question: when you start out, what is the impact on your fitness? I have read a lot of these threads about runners improving thier time etc. ..but is there a period where your performance suffers before it gets better? I feel fine and energetic (after 8 days raw) but I am tired and slow on the bike.
I take dehydrated sweet potatoes, raw organic food bar, some dried apricots, so I'm eating enough on the bike, but I'm used to doing ~50 to ~80 miles on any Saturday or Sunday, and this weekend I'm pooped out in ~20. I can do the whole ride, but I'm slow and have no zip.
I guess I'm hoping someone will confirm that "this is just an adjustment period":p
and if so, I'm hoping y'all will say, "you'll feel better next...week?/ month?...

I've been feeling low on energy as well. I usually run about 18 miles/week, which isn't a ton, but I have been trying to up my mileage for the spring. Since starting raw its definitely been tough to push through those last miles.
I work for snapple to promote their new antioxidant water, so I usually have a couple of bottles in my bag. I drink some post-workout to rejuvenate. I'm also obsessed with Acai after visiting Brazil and their strawberry acai flavor is pretty great. Anyway, it helps bring me back to life. I do wish I had my old pre-raw pep back.

Angie how are you feeling now? Any improvements?