So I'm 9 months post op and after running a couple of 5k's have started training for a half-marathon in Sept. and then hope to move on to a marathon on May. In the online running community that I am a part of there is a lot of great information, but currently there is a debate about whether you can mix extremely low-carb diets with long-distance and endurance running. The consensus seems to be that low carb + running do not mix well.

I was actually reading up a bit on long distance running nutrition yesterday before this discussion started and it struck me that I may struggle with long-distance nutrition because of the limitations of my diet and the capacity limitations of my sleeved stomach. Most marathon info out there suggests at the very least carb loading the day before and morning of the race. I'm not sure this really would work for a post-op sleever. Also, there is the question then of nutrition during the race..... gel packs, sports drinks, gummy bears, jelly Beans, pretzels, etc. used for restoring energy. It is recommended that you take in 100 calories in these forms every 45-60 minutes after the initial 90 minutes of a run to maintain energy. I'm just not sure how this would work for my stomach....particularly since I don't eat those foods at all anymore.

There is some info out there on the paleo diet and athletes, but really not much at all on post-bariatric surgery and long-distance or endurance running.

I guess my question is for anyone in the midst of training for a long distance run, or any long distance runners out there. How do you balance our dietary limits as far as low-carb (30-40/day for me) or other sleeve or bypass related issues with the nutritional energy needed to maintain you for a 13 or 26 mile run.

Suggestions, thoughts, initial feedback?

Edited June 20, 201412 yr by livvsmum

So here is my question...How do you have room for 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup Fiber one and scoop of Protein powder. I cannot eat 1/2 cup of oatmeal at one time comfortablly. I am a bit aprehensive because the more carbs I eat, usually the more I crave the crappy ones...you know chips, fries, potatoes, breads Pasta etc...my killers! Love this info though as I'm trying to psych myself into training for 1/2 marathon and perhaps even beyond. thanks.

I do not run marathons, but I do other running and workouts where I need a good flow of energy. Low carb is just not going to do it. I even ranted about carbs not being evil in the rant forum recently. There are a ton of good carb options there. As for me, I eat a lot of carbs before my workouts in the form of 1/2 cup steel oats, 1 scoop Protein Powder and 1/2 cup fiber one original Cereal. Not only gives me the energy I need to work out hard, but also tastes good. I have been eating this carby meal 2-3 hours before my workout for about 18 months now and am still as fit as I was when I reached goal, even more so now. Quite a bit more. So I say to you - eat your "good" carbs and then kick it during your run, workout, whatever. Also take the time to carb up afterwards with protein. Your muscles will thank you the next day.

So here is my question...How do you have room for 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup fiber one and scoop of Protein powder. I cannot eat 1/2 cup of oatmeal at one time comfortablly. I am a bit aprehensive because the more carbs I eat, usually the more I crave the crappy ones...you know chips, fries, potatoes, breads Pasta etc...my killers! Love this info though as I'm trying to psych myself into training for 1/2 marathon and perhaps even beyond. thanks.

I don't know about the others, but I can't eat all that in one sitting either. I do have a 1/2 cup of cooked oatmeal usually 2 hours before a race. Later, during the course of a Half Ironman, for example, I'll have a Protein Bar and some GUs in my bento box on my bike (maybe 1/2 of a PB2 sandwich also) and then on the half marathon portion of the run I'll have some GU and usually the aid station will have potato chips (need to replace my potassium) and some electrolytes. Carbs will always be a battle with me but they are essential to longer distances. Protein won't convert to energy in time so I just have to dance that dance with the carb devil occasionally.

I can manage a cup of food at one time. Notice I have a lot of problems in doing so and it works better if I do 4-5 ounces and then wait 10 min and then do again.

When I did shorter races, I could manage on that. I could nibble a homemade cookie (meaning it didn't have a lot of the garbage in there that other Cookies do) but they could still really upset the GI track from time to time.