My brother is running a half marathon in October. After he had a cramp 4 miles into a 8 miler i
suggested a the zone diet. He took a look on the web site and said that it was not beneficial to him because he needs a lot of carbs and uses mad amounts of glycogen i (think that is right). Should I tell him to try it and bump up his blocks?
Tommy

The ultra Marathon runner (forgot his name) eats cheeseburgers and other High Octane Foods during competition. It converts easier into the ATP he needs. The Zone will balance him out, but he can then use this technique for when he runs (not training). Cramps are another way of your body telling you to also drink more water, and/or stretch more. Eating "mad amounts of carbs" is just like having three mega tanks of diesel petrol to lift off the Space Shuttle, instead of using what they use. He needs to eat more cleverly and hone his body for optimal performance. ATM he's looking to get a real nice case of silent inflammation and a whole plethora of other things the minute he stops running. As Dr. Sears says "Athletes are just human beings. The second they stop doing what they do they start to have our same problems."

Diego

Tommy, refer you brother to the Elite Athlete page in the FITNESS tab above, and also to these articles:

Fuel your Body for Optimal Performance
Mary Dinehart-Perry MS, RD, LDN
http://usatriathlon.org/content/index/6549

Eating in “The Zone”
Bob Seebohar, , MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS, sport dietitian for the USA Olympic Triathlon Team
http://www.zonediet.com/Portals/0/p...heZone.pdf

Recovery, Recovery, Recovery
Dr. Kevin F. Reichlin, CCSP, Garmin/Chipotle Pro-Cycling Team.
http://www.zonediet.com/Portals/0/p...covery.pdf

Diet Tips to Aid Recovery – An inside look at the Garmin Pro Cycling Team nutrition program
From “Cycling Magazine UK” April 9, 2009
http://www.zonediet.com/FITNESS/Eli...fault.aspx

The Natural Anti-Inflammatory Drug
Dr. Barry Sears
http://usatriathlon.org/content/index/6216

Balancing Elite Nutrition, Training and Performance
Justin Trolle, Head Coach fro Athlete Development with USA Triathlon
http://www.zonediet.com/LinkClick.a...&tabid=182

Thanks guys

You're welcome Thomas.

Have you heard of the "Hood to Coast Relay" in Oregon, (197 miles for the base of Mount Hood to the Pacific Ocean)? My daughter ran it this past weekend. Her mostly zoned lifestyle supports her distance running very well (she doesn't carb load, sticks with Zone basics) Here's a link to the race: http://www.hoodtocoast.com My other daughter and my husband both run marathons in the Zone too and don't carb load.