Being on a low-carb diet in one respect mirrors the carbohydrate depletion that some athletes do before carbo-loading for an endurance event. My marathon coaching trainers no longer emphasize the carbohydrate depletion, which you would do several days before the endurance event. Then the day before the event, the athlete adds good carbs back into their diet - meals including pasta are a staple recommendation. The morning of the event, the athlete has carbohydrates for breakfast, such as a bagel and a banana, whatever they would enjoy and know does not upset their stomach. Too much fiber is not recommended immediately before an endurance event.
Carbohydrates are your immediate energy source during an endurance walk. Your body needs them and uses them immediately, they do not cause the same glycemic effects that they might when you are not exercising. Electrolyte (salt replacement) and sugared sports drinks are an excellent way to both stay hydrated, replace lost body salts, and to have carbohydrates for energy during an endurance event.
Many marathoners also use energy gels, which are pretty much straight shots of various kinds of sugar. But with those you must drink a lot of water to wash them down. As a walker, I have less chance of choking if I have to chew something. During my last marathon, I found that Clif bars have the right texture for easy chewing, they help fill the stomach in case of hunger pangs, and they taste great. So, rather than an energy gel, I use Clif bars during the long walks.
Days 29 and 30
I used the Flax Plus cereal and some non-fat yogurt I had in the refrigerator as my breakfast each day, along with a small portion of grilled chicken for lean protein. For lunch and/or dinner I had a nice salad with some lean protein. On Friday evening I also finished off the bag pita chips I have had for the past 3 weeks, to give me some carbs for my long walk the next day.Day 31 - Long Hot Training Day
It was a record-setting hot day, up to 94F when we finished walking. I had some grilled chicken plus part of a Clif bar for breakfast, and brought along GU2O powdered sports drink packets. We first walked an 11 kilometer (6.8 mile) walk beginning at 8 am. Then the mighty marathon training trio of Wendy, Rachel, and Will continued on into the heat.After my first bottle of water, I refilled and added the packet of GU2O mix, which provides salts and sugar for proper hydration. When it was a little over half gone, I refilled with water, which diluted the drink. For the next refill I added another packet of the sports drink mix, and with the final refill I added plain water. I also ate the second half of my Clif bar after about 3 hours of walking.
We reached a point in the trail after we had been walking over 5 hours where all three of us admitted it was just too darn hot, Rachel and I were worsening some old blisters, and even Will looked drained. So we headed back to our cars, finishing six full hours of walking. I was happy that my iliotibial band had not started hurting until after five hours of walking.
We went for lunch at Baja Fresh - I had my usual Baja Ensalada with great piles of the pico de gallo salsa on top. At home I treated myself to berries and some of the month-old frozen yogurt from my freezer. For dinner I had a pork loin steak and salad.
Next Page: Days 32-35
