Comments on: Dear Mark: Glycogen

By: Weekend Link Love | Mark's Daily Apple

Weekend Link Love | Mark's Daily Apple — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:53:21 +0000

[...] Dear Mark: Glycogen – Glycogen is stored glucose and is the body’s first-line energy stockpile for hard physical effort and other specific body functions. Learn how and where glycogen is stored and how and when it is used. [...]

By: Fixed Gear

Fixed Gear — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:45:38 +0000

Absolutely! Since going primal, I don’t count carbs or calories at all. I just try to eat primal foods. I eat as much as I want. In the 13 weeks I’ve been doing this, I’ve dropped 13 pounds. ….really without trying. The only effort is avoiding high carb foods in our world. And they are tasty. But if you’re FULL on good primal foods it’s not that hard. I can say no to a burrito with a white flour tortilla, beans and rice, because I just had a steak and broccoli dinner.

By: Post Workout Carb Loading and Muscle Building | Mark's Daily Apple

Post Workout Carb Loading and Muscle Building | Mark's Daily Apple — Mon, 18 May 2009 23:54:27 +0000

[...] with a price when the body will just end up storing their energy. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, glucose in the bloodstream has toxic implications unless it’s being stored or burned right away as [...]

By: armand

armand — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:15:52 +0000

Thanks Ryan. I will def try some/all of your advice. I do intend to continue the diet and hope that this effect is something that I can work through or figure out how to combat it. I know i don’t stretch ‘enough’ and probably could hydrate a little more than I do. It had never been a problem before so it never bothered me. But being on a different diet I guess can lead to different physiological experiences. I tend to do a good job of hydrating in preparation for an even and def during the event. Thanks again for all of you guys’ help and answers. I will def keep you posted on how things go.

Armand

By: Ryan Denner

Ryan Denner — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:10:57 +0000

I am not sure if “they” have ever figured out what causes cramping. “They” used to think it was electrolyte imbalance, but the latest theory is your muscles cramp because they are not used to doing a certain motion/load. It might be either, or hydration, or a combination of some/all. Regardless, your muscles cramp b/c they can’t do what you want them to do anymore!

Try keeping with your diet, *maybe* hydrating a little more, ran at this “hard” pace a little more often (do you warm up properly before running hard?), and maybe even included some stretching, you would stop getting cramps, or at least reduce them. Remember – its all about finding what works for you, so experiment!

Let us know how it goes!

By: armand

armand — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:23:51 +0000

Excellent!!! I really appreciate all the help. I think I understand that aspect better now. One other question I had was, lately if I really push myself on a run (3 – 5.5 miles) I notice a little more cramping in my quads than pre ketogenic diet. Do you believe this is some effect of the diet or just a failure on my part to hydrate correctly or proper electrolyte intake?

By: Mark Sisson

Mark Sisson — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:10:48 +0000

The body is always getting energy from a combination of fats, glucose/glycogen, protein and carbs. Low carb intake causes you to burn more fat, but also prompts gluconeogensis (because you still need SOME glucose). That is driven by fat metabolism and ketone formation. When you race while trained to burn fats, you still need some glycogen in the muslces. When glycogen is depleted, you hit the wall (you can still walk or jog easily, but can’t run fast). That’s why you might carry the gu….just in case. Probably won’t be a factor in a 10k, but would be more so in a hard, fast triathlon or marathon.

By: armand

armand — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:02:00 +0000

Thanks Mark!! Again I guess my ignorance about low carbohydrate intake and glycogen is becoming more and more evident. I was under the impression that severly reducing carbohydrate intake lead to depletion of glycogen stores requiring your body to get energy solely from fatty acids.

By: Mark Sisson

Mark Sisson — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:57:27 +0000

Armand, I agree with Ryan. Take a gu packet with you just in case, but the truth is, a 10k in 37-38 minutes will “only” require about 200 grams of stored glycogen. You should have enough stored if you taper or take the day or two before the race easy

By: armand

armand — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:56:27 +0000

thanks again Ryan. You have been a big help. I agree with you about looking at this race as learning experience. Hopefully all will go well. I guess with starting a different eating lifestyle I am just a little anxious b/c I know what I am capable of in the past and hope to do as good or better. Thanks again!!

Armand