Diet for marathon prep

So for the race, I've had to do a lot of pre-running work. That is, rearranging my workout (weight training) schedule with Jim to mesh with the running days. I've (with Jim's help) also had to figure out a diet that would let me get leaner (fingers crossed) while giving me enough carbs/energy to make it through the long runs.

We've come up with a good balance. Of course, I haven't tried it yet so we'll have to see how it goes. But it looks good. And Jim knows his stuff. I am going to start carb rotating during the early phase of training. I will have days (running days) with a relatively heavy carb intake then days with a medium and then a low (carb intake).

Here's what it will look like:

Monday = medium carb

Tuesday = High

Wednesday = Low (no workout)

Thursday = High

Friday = Medium

Saturday = High

Sunday - Low or Medium

I'm really lucky to have so many healthy, strong and knowledgeable people who are willing to share their experiences and talents with me.

Shari Duncan, a natural body builder, power lifter and certified nutritionist has also given me some ideas. Here's what she said:

• As your weekly mileage goes up with your training so should your carb intake... Keep to clean eating though; the wrong foods will definitely negatively impact your overall performance. From what I understand about nutrition for endurance athletes in training.. the following is a general breakdown for macro-nutrients:

50 – 65 % calories from complex carbohydrates

15 – 25% calories from fat, unsaturated as much as possible
20 – 25% calories from protein. I'd recommend the higher percentage

since you are weight training
(on non-training days... I would decrease carbs ~40% and increase protein ~30% and fats ~30).

• Limit higher glycemic and fried/ high fat foods (especially pre-run) Some "good" carb snack choices are whole grains and pastas, dry cereal,plain popcorn, yogurt, bananas and other fruits.

"Nenikekamen"

In Greek, Niki means "victory" and that's what I'm looking for ... victory. But I have a way to go. This the beginning, not to be dramatic, but it is. Today is June 21, 2011. I'm looking down the barrel of a 20-week training program. On Nov. 5, 2011, I'll be running a marathon ... 26.2 miles, the Savannah Rock-N-Roll Marathon.

I've decided to create a separate blog about this. The training ... the gear ... the products etc. That way the folks who aren't interested in running won't have to read it on my home blog.

Moving on ... So WHY the marathon? Well, for most athletes and myself included - although I don't consider myself an "athelete," it's THE way to test your endurance. Just finishing makes you one of the "elite." Less than 1 percent of the population - the worldwide population - has completed a marathon. There's also a historical connection that I find fascinating. It was first mentioned by the Greek historian Plutarch - the legend of Pheidippides. This was a Greek runner, who was sent from the town of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated (by the Greeks/Athenians) at the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping. Guess what that distance was - yepper. 26.2 miles. The distance from Marathon to Athens.

But right after after proclaiming his message "Nenikekamen" (or "We have won") to the city, he collapsed from exhaustion ... AND DIED.

This painting was completed by Luc-Olivier Menson in 1869. It shows Pheidippides (naked) gasping out the victory notice much to the chagrin of the Athenian people who look horrified. I don't know what they were most upset about - the fact that he's naked, the fact that he's dying or the fact that the largest army on the planet (at the time, the Persians) is about to lay the proverbial "smack down." That would be revenge for the defeat at Marathon.

Suffices to say, however, I hope to do better than ol' Pheidippides. First of all, I don't plan to die. Secondly, even if I do drop dead, I don't plan to be naked. Seriously ... why wasn't he wearing clothes?

I think that's a pretty good starting point. There will be much more to come.