distance running while raw!?

[moorsie32]

Hi everybody!
I have been trying to find information on the internet about endurance runners who maintain a raw lifestyle. Over the past couple of years I have gotten into distance running at a fairly high level (sometimes requiring training weeks of over 100 miles). I realize that this type of stress is not exactly natural for the body but I do seem to enjoy it and wonder if my body will have enough nutrients to recover on just raw food. If anybody else here is a fellow long distance runner please give me some feedback!

[Lea_t_singer]

Wow, that sounds like a very life-balancing and healthy thing to do! What type of exercise do you daily?

[hotgugon]

hi...i distance run too but not as much...around 3-4 mi. a day on avg. and occasionally a 5 mi. run...i'm on my school's cross-country team...i eat raw, 85-90% of the time and i'm doing ok i think...my times are a lil slower than last year but it may be all mental...i'm still on this raw journey thing so i'm not sure how i'm doing...it feels to me as if my energy levels r the same as last years but i'll drop in...plus, i my body is still detoxing so haven't felt the energy boost 24/7 effects however i eat a LOT of dates, fruit, adn an energizing smoothie before i run and it feels as if i'm flying...and its awesome

[meganthevegan]

hi, I also run but no where near 100miles a week, more like 28 max. I never run back to back days anymore due to an injury. I need that recovery. But, I've been slowly coming back into running since going raw and have nothing but really strong runs. I started raw in August and at the time was running 4 miles at a time. I'm now up to 6-7. And I'm finding that I'm running more distance in less time, does that make sense?

So, I think you should be fine on raw. Good luck!!

[twinee1]

You can successfully run endurance on a raw diet...or do any other sport. I find I have more energy since eating Raw. I did find it important to keep a good amount of greens and limit my fruit on some days to keep my energy levels stable longer. Also I add Protein to my post training green drinks. I like the Nutriva Hemp Protein and the Garden of Life Super Seed.

[moorsie32]

thanks for the advice and encouragement everyone! Do any of you have a recipie for a really simple high protein/post workout raw meal that you could give me? I am fairly new to the raw thing and fairly veteran with the running thing so I am trying to help the two merge together!

[Saint Jerome]

www.organicathlete.org

www.foodnsport.com

www.vegsource.com/talk/raw/

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/kristi17.htm

You can check out these websites. First three are from Dr. Doug Graham, an athlete and raw athletic adviser. The last one is Brendan Brazier who is 80% raw.

[twinee1]

A green drink after a work out are great recovery.

I like to use bunch of Kale (or other dark green, experiment to find what you like but Kale is a good one), head of Romaine, 1 small Apple and 1/4-1/2 lemon, ginger to taste.

Depending on my meal plans for the day I may or may not add Hemp Protein to the drink. It tastes better w/o the hemp so sometimes I will mix that seperate and drink it down fast just to get it over with so I can slowly drink my Green Drink..and enjoy !!

[tglasco4]

Its always interesting what different people use for different things. I run between 20-28 miles per week. My favorite drink after a run is abou 32oz of fresh OJ. Seems to rejuvinate me. Like hotgugon, I seem to experience the best runs when I have a good amount of fruit before I run. I usually include bananas and dried figs or dates before I run with some other fruit.

Saint Jerome, the sites you posted are interesting. I have seen the Dr. Graham before, but the bodybuilding one I never saw before. As I looked at it, I realize that I have been using a form of the HIT system without knowing it. It really does bring excellent results. I first got the idea from another site www.charliesgym.com
I just looked at the guy's workout and was impressed with its efficiency. I have suffered from over-training many times over the years. Finally, I have a program that works well. I am finding myself getting more definition and musclarity than I ever have. Thanks.

Peace.

Todd

[Saint Jerome]

I'm glad you found the Bendan Brazier website helpful. He's one of my favourite examples of a vegan competing at a high level in a gruelling sporting event. Hopefully he's spreading the word (and example) of compassionate eating and competing.

God bless you in your training too. I hope you are influential as well in promoting compassionate eating while being an athlete.

[Blazin'Jane]

wow! This is all very helpful information. I do alot of long distance bike riding in the hot, sticky Missouri summer. Hydration and electrolyte replacement are big concerns. I'm grateful for all your contributions :D

[Jul]

I think it's totally do-able! I too run nothing close to the mileage that you do, however I ran the Chicago marathon in October and the Miami 1/2 last week. I've been eating raw since July 2006. I'm not running as fast as I used to (I slowed down when I developed asthma), but my recovery is so much quicker.

If your into long distances I'm sure you've heard of Scott Jurek. He's a vegan, mainly raw, and competes in 10-12 ultramarathons per year. http://www.scottjurek.com/index.php

Also check out http://www.runraw.org/ and http://www.runningraw.com/
They really helped me thru my first raw marathon!!!

Good luck
Jul