For Distance Runners

[Fiddleman 4,376]

I just realized today I am burning 1000+ calories when running for an hour (6.5 miles again today). At least that is what the treadmill told me when my weight got entered today.

Overall, felt OK but am wondering about my caloric intake because it is low. I eat between 100 and 150 calories a meal for 5-6 means a day, mostly Protein. I try and eat veggies where I can for 2 of the meals. Thanks to BTB, my second meal is a pair of energy squares 30 min before run. After the run, I have another Protein shake.

How many calories should I be targeting per day with this much training?

I have noticed my shirt and shorts size has dropped from a men's L to a M in the last month and am comfortably wearing size 34 jeans. Almost done with weight loss- getting a few lbs from175 lb goal. Still keeping the lean muscle with high Protein and strength training on alternate days( will not need any skin surgery).

I want to keep running for an hour every other day to work on my 10 k training. 5k is getting pretty good at average between 28-30 min when running 10 k distance, but I do some active recovery by knocking the speed down for a couple minutes at the 30 m mark.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

Somebody needs to drag massindex and pdxman into this thread.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

I just realized today I am burning 1000+ calories when running for an hour (6.5 miles again today). At least that is what the treadmill told me when my weight got entered today.

Overall' date=' felt OK but am wondering about my caloric intake because it is low. I eat between 100 and 150 calories a meal for 5-6 means a day, mostly Protein. I try and eat veggies where I can for 2 of the meals. Thanks to BTB, my second meal is a pair of energy squares 30 min before run. After the run, I have another Protein shake.

How many calories should I be targeting per day with this much training?

I have noticed my shirt and shorts size has dropped from a men's L to a M in the last month and am comfortably wearing size 34 jeans. Almost done with weight loss- getting a few lbs from175 lb goal. Still keeping the lean muscle with high protein and strength training on alternate days( will not need any skin surgery).

I want to keep running for an hour every other day to work on my 10 k training. 5k is getting pretty good at average between 28-30 min when running 10 k distance, but I do some active recovery by knocking the speed down for a couple minutes at the 30 m mark.[/quote']

What do you think of those energy squares? I think the name is kind of a misnomer, since they don't contain any stimulants or anything. But for me, they do carry me nicely through a long workout. And I feel better eating something organic rather than most processed foods.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

What do you think of those energy squares? I think the name is kind of a misnomer' date=' since they don't contain any stimulants or anything. But for me, they do carry me nicely through a long workout. And I feel better eating something organic rather than most processed foods.[/quote']

I really like the chocolate paradise energy squares and eat 2 on my hour long runs.

[danyelleb 386]

Somebody needs to drag massindex and pdxman into this thread.

NO KIDDING! That's exactly what I was thinking when reading about Fiddleman's caloric intake question. Fiddleman, you should message pdxman. He was extremely helpful when I messaged him about the same thing your inquiring about. I don't know much, but I would say that you definitely should be eating more cals. I don't know what the magic number is. But I do know that you don't want to burn muscle.

[danyelleb 386]

I have noticed my shirt and shorts size has dropped from a men's L to a M in the last month and am comfortably wearing size 34 jeans. Almost done with weight loss- getting a few lbs from175 lb goal. Still keeping the lean muscle with high Protein and strength training on alternate days( will not need any skin surgery).

I want to keep running for an hour every other day to work on my 10 k training. 5k is getting pretty good at average between 28-30 min when running 10 k distance, but I do some active recovery by knocking the speed down for a couple minutes at the 30 m mark.

WOW! No wonder why you are so close to goal- you sound extremely disciplined and systematic with your weight loss and training. Yay success! and double yay with no skin surgery. Btw- I like the new profile pic!

[Fiddleman 4,376]

WOW! No wonder why you are so close to goal- you sound extremely disciplined and systematic with your weight loss and training. Yay success! and double yay with no skin surgery. Btw- I like the new profile pic!

Thanks! Yup, discipline is my middle name. For some reason, I really thrive on rigid methodologies and am a fairly analytical person.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

Thanks! Yup, discipline is my middle name. For some reason, I really thrive on rigid methodologies and am a fairly analytical person.

I think we may be brothers....I don't know why I wasn't this disciplined before the surgery.

[massindex 346]

I've always believed that running clears the mind and gives one time to think while listening to your breathing. That's a perfect atmosphere for building discipline.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

I've always believed that running clears the mind and gives one time to think while listening to your breathing. That's a perfect atmosphere for building discipline.

Mark, I've only been doing this 4 or 5 months, but I'm just starting to get to that point. I have also very recently realized that I no longer have to count my steps and try to sync my breathing to them...it's just happening naturally. I no longer have to repeat certain mantras to myself constantly....."lift your feet", "drop your shoulders", "bend your knees".....it's just all kinda happening now. And the best part, I'm getting to the point where I become totally unaware of how far or how long I've run for periods of time....instead my mind starts enjoying the scenery, thinking about future events, even day dreaming. Weird. I love that though.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

What is the preferred clothing to wear when running long distances? This question does not apply to shoes or socks, but only to shirt and shorts.

I have been noticing that my loose T-shirt and even my loose shorts are starting to get really distracting when running for an hour. They flap around and shorts are nylon and like to drop a couple inches when running. It is distracting. My running is currently inside so air temperature is around 68-72.

Besides the need to go down a size, would it be better to run without a shirt? I think it would be OK with the in door air temperature. Would it be better to wear spandex or should shorts be loose fitting (not overly loose)? Please share your thoughts. With some answers, I am going to the running store to seek out more ideal running clothes.

[massindex 346]

Like you said, it could depend on the weather. Currently I like my running tights but when it gets warmer, I still use anything with compression. I find the jarring on my body to be real bad without compression clothing. For the most part, anything spandex seems better for me. After 26.2 miles on Sunday, my body feels pretty much normal and I wore all spandex.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Like you said' date=' it could depend on the weather. Currently I like my running tights but when it gets warmer, I still use anything with compression. I find the jarring on my body to be real bad without compression clothing. For the most part, anything spandex seems better for me. After 26.2 miles on Sunday, my body feels pretty much normal and I wore all spandex.[/quote']

Thanks! I think spandex may actually look 1/2 way normal on me now. LOL!

[nyc8dove 40]

A while back I posted about 5-hour energy and Gels....well' date=' I'm here to report that I am now up to 9 miles and using 2 gels during my long runs. The gel that works the best for me (since I dump) are the Cliffs brand...they are 90% organic and do not kill my stomach. So happy that these still work for me as I have a few half marathons planned and now I don't have to worry about losing fuel.[/quote']

This is soooo wonderful to know!! Congrats!

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Like you said' date=' it could depend on the weather. Currently I like my running tights but when it gets warmer, I still use anything with compression. I find the jarring on my body to be real bad without compression clothing. For the most part, anything spandex seems better for me. After 26.2 miles on Sunday, my body feels pretty much normal and I wore all spandex.[/quote']

Ran without a shirt today and that worked soooo much better because I was no longer distracted by shirt flapping around or rubbing my chest. I actually ran faster completing my first 5 k in 26 minutes (speed between 6.5-7 mph, adjusting every few min to keep my muscles from getting comfortable) and second 5k in slower 32 minutes. Running faster in the first 1/2 did have the negative of wearing me out for 2nd 1/2. Regardless, I am going to look into better running clothes soon.