I have been reading some websites about hunter/gathers societies and what they ate.

One particular article i read talked about an almost zero carb eating with a days and days of long distance traveling. mostly walking to hunt for food.

The thing that I thought could possibly be the key to long distance cardio exercise like ultra marathons and such on a low carb diet was what I read in that particular article.

The key I felt was the high fat content relative to the protein content of the meat they ate. the article also stated the leaner cuts of meat were given to the dogs and the people ate the fatty portions.

As crazy as this sounds I am thinking that this maybe the primary causes of the fatigue some people feel when exercising on low carbs.

Assuming that they do not excercise during the adapation period of 2-3 weeks of beginning the diet, the fatigue people feel maybe cause by eating to high a ratio of protein to fat in their diet.

Also what i read is that the importance of keeping with the low carb levels and not periodically losing that adaptation to burn fat or ketones as fuel by eating too much carbs periodically.

I would really like to read or hear about a ultra marathoner that runs 100 miles on low carbs. I do believe that it is possible . The fat to protein ratio in the diet maybe the key to the solution to make it possible.

Has anyone read more about this or has first hand experience of this?

Hmmm. This is a complicated discussion. I'm not an ultra-marathoner by any stretch, but I do know that low-carb works fine for me as fuel for my daily workouts, both cardio and weight training.

I've never figured out the definitive ratio of protein/fat for me, let alone as a general principle. I do seem to keep fat consumption in the 55-65% range in maintenance mode, with carbs about 35-50 gms net.

Recently I've added some high-intensity cardio workouts to my week, in the hope of shedding the stubborn fluff, and the last few pounds. That hasn't happened, and I don't know yet what's going on. This week, I'm going to cut carbs way back, keep track of everything carefully, and see if I can come up with a new pattern that will lean me out even more. I'll let you know.

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Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

I, too, am not a marathon runner or walker by any means, but I noted to my husband a while back that my endurance is actually MUCH IMPROVED when I stay true to low-carb. I never thought about the connection to fat intake, but I will say that I definitely consume a LOT more fat eating this way, as before I was on a fat-restricted woe...
Seriously, even though I am now in my mid-30's and have given birth to 3 children, I have WAY more strength and endurance now than I did even in my mid-20's when I was in much better (superficial) shape (and weighed a lot less).
Even so, I don't think I'll be attempting any marathons any time soon...

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Summer

Actually, by way of history, I DID complete a marathon once. That was 1979. I finished the first Kansas City Marathon in 4 hrs. and 17 minutes. You only need to do it once to claim braggin' rights.

The fact is, I'm in better shape now at 60. That year, I ran many, many training miles, and ate everything in sight. I weighed 122 lbs. However, today, at 135, I've got much better total-body muscle development, and feel fitter than I did then for many reasons.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Thank you for all the neat information and sharing of your experiences.

Lately I been thinking perhaps moderation is more important and perhaps extremes in aerobic or weight lifting may not be the best way toward long term health and maintenance.

But wouldn't it be neat to be able to some how eat in a way to be able to run a marathon on a low carb way of eating.

Someday perhaps there will be more scientific research that can provide the details on how such a feat (running marathons on low carbs) might be possible.

Well, Simple, now that you mention it... I'm actually opposed to the idea of running marathons (although I am in AWE of those who can actually DO it, Barb! ).
I've read a lot (Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Diana Schwarzbein, etc.) about how doing extreme exercising is anything BUT healthy for your body. To the contrary, marathon training and the like actually contribute to rapid cellular aging. If you think about it, it makes sense. Humans were never meant to remain in a fully-engaged "flight response." To run is part of the *fight or flight* response -- a necessary, but TEMPORARY state of being. Forcing one's body to remain in this state for an extended period puts undue strain on ALL parts of the body (joints, lungs, heart) right down to the cellular level (by causing the cells to work at an unnatural rate for an extended period of time). I have known a couple of people who were "marathon runners" (one who actually competed, regularly & one who just ran maniacly every day). BOTH of them look about 10 years older than their actual age. I don't think that's a coincidence.
I agree; everything in moderation. Exercise REGULARLY -- but not to excess. As with all things in life, "too much of a good thing is NOT a good thing!"
Just my .02

__________________
Summer

Good thing I quit when I was ahead, eh?

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal