Comments on: Less Is Not Enough: The PodCaster’s Approach to Nutrition

By: Al Kind

Al Kind — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:43:02 +0000

again very interesting jon. Is glycogen the only way to power our muscles? Shouldn’t there be a mechanism in which our muscles should be able to function ( albeit, not at peak effeciency ) without the presence of this “fuel”?
Al Kind´s last blog ..Needing Cushion Running Shoes?

By: Jon (was) in Michigan

Jon (was) in Michigan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:16:50 +0000

You are correct, Al, you can live for days without food. But your body will be burning fat, not glucose or glycogen, during those days of no food. The fuel stored in your muscles get used up quickly. If only we could burn fat more efficiently, we could run for days without stopping.
Jon (was) in Michigan´s last blog ..in with the new(er)

By: Al Kind

Al Kind — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:10:01 +0000

…Generally speaking though, we have only a few hours worth of fuel in our muscles…”

very interesting.. i didn’t think that because i thought people could survive days without food…
Al Kind´s last blog ..Needing Cushion Running Shoes?

By: A Power Primer » Complete Running Network

A Power Primer » Complete Running Network — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 20:48:24 +0000

[...] one, Mark Iocchelli put forward the case for a minimalist approach to fueling (less is more). In part two, Steve Runner takes the opposite view – that fueling on the run is the advisable strategy. In part [...]

By: Less Is More: The Blogfather’s Approach to Nutrition » Complete Running Network

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 20:43:15 +0000

By: Ebitty

Ebitty — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:15:44 +0000

Both articles were extremely interesting! Thanks guys!
The thing that sticks out to me the most is the simple time logistic. With Steve continuing to run almost a full hour longer than Mark, it makes sense that he found more benefits using gels and other fuels later in the race. If they were running the same race, Mark would like be having a bagel and banana right around the same time Steve pops in in a gel pack.
At any rate, they both have found what works for them and should be commended!! I hope to some day get to the point of finding out which method works the best for me!

By: Mark Iocchelli

Mark Iocchelli — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:59:22 +0000

Jennifer,

My (“e.g.”) was not accurate so thanks for the clarification. I was not intending to delve deeply in the chemical process. I know you have a background in sciences – would you mind providing a clear explanation OR some links with easy to understand explanations of a) what happens when fat is broken down and b) the precise source of fuel fat becomes?

That would be very helpful to everyone. We might include it here in the comments or even as a standalone post.

This has been a very good discussion everyone!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 06:20:38 +0000

“21st: I think we need to realize that fat doesn’t actual fuel the body – it is broken down into fuel (e.g. glucose) that the body (including the heart) can use.”

This is actually not true. Fats are broken down by an independent mechanism which produces energy without producing glucose first. I’m not sure about the heart, but I do know that our brains can only be fueled by glucose.

Fat does fuel the body (other than the brain) through a process called fatty acid oxidation. It produces more energy than glucose oxidation, but at a slower rate.

By: Mark Iocchelli

Mark Iocchelli — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 23:36:30 +0000

Dawn and others:

I hope you can see that I’m not saying you MUST do as I am doing. I am just saying that there is an alternative to what is often taught.

I think people should experiment and figure out what’s right for them. My approach is just another thing to think about.

And I hope everyone realizes that Steve and I are really having fun with this. My calling him a “weenie” and his jabs at my intelligence were all in fun.

We’re here to entertain, inform and provoke some thought.

By: Dawn - Pink Chick

Dawn - Pink Chick — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 23:25:08 +0000

Mark while I would clearly love to agree with you I can’t. For me running a marathon is practically an all day experience. I wouldn’t sit at my desk for 7+ hours and not eat, I sure as heck ain’t gonna run for that long and not fuel.

For my last marathon I had 6 gels and a few other items. I suspect I didn’t consume any more then 7-900 calories but my Garmin says I burned over 5000 so heck I think I could have eaten an extra large all dressed pizza along the way and still lost weight…lol.

Despite eating a great dinner that night and eating appropriately the next day I was still down 3 pounds from my race two days later.

Maybe I will rethink things if and when I get down to a 4 hour marathon but for now bring on those chocolate cherry gels and keep em coming.