The FastDay Forum

Hey guys,

I was doing incredibly well on the 5:2 diet. I lost 6 lbs in the first two weeks. I am training for distance running getting used now to the 1/2 marathon distance and my mileage is increasing every week. I ran an official 1/2 marathon in quite a good time and my appetite has grown considerably. I put the 6lbs back on in about 10 days as I just seem to need carbs. to run and cannot keep to fast days.

I know that a lighter weight would be better for my running. What I used to do is keep the lighter training days to fast days but now all my runs are at least 10km long.

Not sure what to do. I also have a baby under 1 year and a toddler which probably does not help along with a study schedule.

Any ideas. I loved the 5:2 and really thought I had found the holy grail which I am sure for some people it is.

What can I do to stay on course. I would like to get from 132 lbs to 112 lbs as am very short.

Thanks,
Snoozey

[Debs]

@MaryAnn, may be able to help you as she runs marathons I think and she is doing well. I know that I get absolutely raveous when doing weights and used to overcompensate afterwards! There are a few runners here who will probably be able to help.

I wish I could help. It sounds like you do a lot more training than me (I do a long run and a hill run per week; the rest is HIIT or weights). It sounds a bit like you're over-training (if I understand correctly: 10K+ everyday?). @Franglaise? @CreakyPete?

When I do long runs on a fast day, I go over the 500 cals. I usually eat a banana beforehand and an egg afterward. I probably run a lot slower than most though!

Would lean protein help at all, rather than stocking up on carbs? I am literally thinking back to that advert with Mo Farah, where he says something like, "there's no secret, you train a lot, and you eat right"

(I know he's being paid to advertise Quorn, but you get the idea)

My sister in law runs a lot, and she low carbs in the week and frequently runs 10 or so miles at a time. I'll ask her whether more protein helps her, or if she really does need the carbs for long distance.

You can train low-carb, and fat will disappear, once you are properly adapted. Carbs are the icing on the cake for racing and doing long distances (over 18 miles or so) when are fat-adapted, and also recovery fuel after hard workouts. Increased protein will help with muscle repair processes but not a great amount extra, you don't want to burn protein as fuel due to lack of fat or carbs.
Try getting used to being slower on your training runs, at least for a while, and eventually (3-4 weeks) you should be feeling better about fat-burning as your default state, saving high-carbs for special events, racing, time-trials etc.

HI @snoozeygirl
congratulations on your initial weight loss and your half marathon - what time did you do in your race?
What sort of training are you doing? What mileage a week, are you also doing interval training and what pace are you doing your long training runs at?
I train 4 times a week and do around 50kms a week, but my appetite hasn't increased hugely. I do eat more, but managed to lose the 2kgs before my half marathong that I wanted to recently without much effort. I try not to fast on a day I run, and always eat before running the day after. I also eat a lot of unsalted almonds which are high in protein and quite filling (but they are also very calorific so I have to be careful)
You will run faster if you lose weight, so that should be quite a good motivator for you. Sorry not to be more helpful - I know that a friend of mine put on weight when she was in training for a marathon, but for a half or 10k race her experience is the same as mine, no extra hunger during the training.

In addition to the other posters great replies I came to think of: But what carbs do you eat? It might do a lot of difference for you if you also shift towards slower carbs. Your story suggests you run on "sugar" carbs like toast with jam? (one of my old favourites, but it comes at a price)