Fifty Plus (50+) - Tomorrow: Low Carb - High Fat Test!

Tomorrow I will join about 15 - 20 other riders for a 115 mi ride around Lake Okeechobee. It will be my longest ride since I have embarked on this low carb diet.

The weather is "iffy" at best. 50 - 60% chance of rain, 80+ deg, high humidity. We'll be on the levee for much of the ride, so limited access to any "SAG." Pace is 20 - 22, with 3 planned rests: 45 mi, 65 mi (lunch), and 95 mi.

I did this about a year or so ago. Not particularly difficult as it is mostly flat, except for a few bridges and mounting the levee. Staying hydrated and keeping the 'lytes up to snuff will be key.

We'll see if the LCHF concept works for endurance rides.

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/99795

From my understanding, whether it works depends a lot on whether you are in ketosis. If you aren't, you may need some extra carbs, as your body isn't fully adapted to using your fat stores rather than carbs. There's a pretty good book (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CVV2AE/ref=docs-os-doi_0) I just read with a fuller explanation of this.

From my understanding, whether it works depends a lot on whether you are in ketosis. If you aren't, you may need some extra carbs, as your body isn't fully adapted to using your fat stores rather than carbs. There's a pretty good book (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CVV2AE/ref=docs-os-doi_0) I just read with a fuller explanation of this.

Chaco, Thanks. Got the book, and the sequel, "The Art and Science of Low Carb Performance" I've been on the diet for a month, and in ketosis for at least 2 weeks now. Tested positive again today. I guess it can take 6 - 8 weeks to fully adapt to the new metabolism.

Take a carb solution with you, just in case. I remember doing low carb/hi protein. I was on an exercise program that tracked my progress from workout to workout. In ketosis, my muscle just didn't want to work as well. I was getting muscle fatigue much quicker.What I ended up doing was rearranging when I ate my carbs. It made a difference.

Let us know how it worked out. I have to restrict my carbs as well because of insulin resistance.

Take a carb solution with you, just in case. .

Bob, my virtual friend through the forum

I'm a bit skeered for you.

Okay, everyone is different. As a T1 insulin-using marathon runner for 30 years, your athletic dietary regimen would have killed me in every of my 30 full maras and 100 plus halves.

Please - carry a Glycogon shot, and glucose gels

(Maybe I don't get it, and you're better informed. However, I'm worried for you, Pal)

Chaco and Wobbly, thank you for your concern. The ride went great! I've done that ride 2x before, and at the end I was always fading and very "tingly" This time I was really strong, and when they pumped up the pace to 26 at mile 113, I hung on until my HR hit 87%, and I backed off, Drs orders (keep the HR 85% or below)

I did have Hammer Endurolytes (3 before, and 3 at each stop) and Twin Labs Ultra Fuel (1 scoop - 12 g carbs) in 24 oz H2O, 4 bottles, and 3 lg Gartorade G2s. Also a 6" Blimpy's Best (47 carbs, 450 cal) and a half of bag of pork rind for lunch at mm 65.

Twice they picked up the pace to where my HR got above 85% when I pulled, that was my only limiting factor. Oh, and at mile 100 we were doing 22+ and I felt a cramp coming on, so I backed off for a bit and spun it out.

Ride report and photos can be found here: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/701083

I will admit that I was a bit apprehensive, esp at 4:30 AM when I looked at the radar and there was a huge storm over Lake O. I could tell that it would clear out well before ride time (7 am) but I also knew that a lot of people would cancel. They did, and we only had six riders, and all were much stronger.

I was the weak link (and the old man, no one else was over 54,) but I only held them up twice, the first HR (55 mi) and the cramps at 100 mi.

Well done Bob, glad you made the ride in good shape.

Bill

Congrats, Bob. Glad the ride went so well for you. Being able to go 26 mph after 100 miles is pretty impressive.