Anyone try intermittent fasting for distance training?

What could be better than withholding nutrients and energy from your body in distance training?

I have heard it actually boosts T-levels and HGH naturally.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9024254

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11103227

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9024254

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC329619/?page=6

My point is I'm asking if anyone has tried it for distance training with success or not. I'm wondering how to apply it.

Sounds perfect! wrote:

What could be better than withholding nutrients and energy from your body in distance training?

Teaches the body how to run off reserves which the body has from eating too damned much.

Sounds perfect! wrote:

What could be better than withholding nutrients and energy from your body in distance training?

If you succeed and don't implode, it has some benefits. More for self mastery than trying to cynically get some results from it. More likely you won't see adequate results for the effort.

I do many of my week runs at around 5 pm eat fruit at night, the next day I try to skip any kind of food until 1pm or later then 1 bowl of potatoes and veggies with a sauce, run fruit repeat. I am improving reaaally fast.

Weekends i try to do some miles with no food then take something to go the distance.

It does work but the windown in which you eat must be fulled with fruit and veguies and nutrient dense foods. Do not eat pasta, breads, processed juices/. Do eat potatoes , quinua, steamed vegetables, lots of fruits.

I have tried it and have found it helpful. I use it mostly when I am trying to get a tad leaner heading into a race. I usually do a 24-36 hour fast heading into an easy long run or a lighter workout. I often feel really good during the workout and have raced well the seasons I would do this on a weekly basis at the first stages of training and then again maybe 1-2 times per month after that depending on my schedule. I would caution against it near racing as well as if your training volume and intensity is increasing.

Again, just my personal experience. I do know there is a lot of new data in the medical field regarding intermittent fasting for several health benefits. I've read a book on IF, not specific for athletes but more for health benefits for diabetics, etc but the pathophysiology behind it is rather convincing. The book is called 'the fast diet' by Dr. Mosley if you want to learn more.

I think it's runner dependent - it's worked for me to help shed a few pounds, work on cravings and teach me to run effieciently when carbohydrate reserve is low. Good luck!

Any suggestions on trying intermittent fasting for someone who runs in the morning? That is, best practices on how to do it.

23232ewf wrote:

Any suggestions on trying intermittent fasting for someone who runs in the morning? That is, best practices on how to do it.

Eat dinner go to sleep wake up go running. Have lunch.

Try fasting before your easy morning runs. Your body will learn to use fat for energy more efficiently. Run your hard workouts in the afternoon in a non-fasted state.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/19197210/

12-18 hour fasting blocks.daily with an occasional longer fast. Pretty easy and huge benefits physically and mentally. Energy, clarity, motivation, recovery.

7pm to 10am = 15 hours.

Try carb-backloading in the evenings, too. That will help hormon health and recovery.

Most importantly, listen to your body!

FastFasterFastest! wrote:

Try fasting before your easy morning runs. Your body will learn to use fat for energy more efficiently. Run your hard workouts in the afternoon in a non-fasted state.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/19197210/

12-18 hour fasting blocks.daily with an occasional longer fast. Pretty easy and huge benefits physically and mentally. Energy, clarity, motivation, recovery.

7pm to 10am = 15 hours.

Try carb-backloading in the evenings, too. That will help hormon health and recovery.

Most importantly, listen to your body!

There is no reason why you can't just get up and do a hard workout in a fasted state. Your body has a ton of energy stored up from just lying prone for 8 hours.

I routinely do morning races and hard workouts with no breakfast and feel great.

Run in the morning is around 7 AM to me... a tad early to have lunch, no?

How old are you guys? I wonder if age would affect the results. I would imagine that it would. I also am considering it and would like to know if it's a safe practice for younger runners.