Strange Question: Marathon Runner wants to eat more calories

bunchesonothing

So, I am a marathon runner and this is the first season I've been watching my caloric intake. I cut the weight I wanted to lose, and now, I'm not so keen on losing too much more. I have a pretty quick metabolism, have the activity level listed accordingly(my maintenance calories are listed at 1720) and run quite a bit of mileage, the kind that comes with marathon training. But, what I've found is that I have some pretty large calorie deficits since I've taken myself off the "loss" mode. 300-600 on fairly regular days, shortish runs of 3-5 miles, with some other light activity. However, on long run days, 10+miles or more, I will end up eating 1000 less calories than recommended. I've found that running those distances is an appetite suppressant for me. Well, running seems to be, in general. I guess I'm saying that my stomach never seems to have enough room to eat back all of those exercise calories.

So, should I worry about these deficits? If I should, how do I fill these gaps?

And to further things, I don't want to eat or drink junk to do it. I cut out soda from my daily habits, etc.. and I want to keep it that way.

kdiamond

Are you losing (unwanted) weight? If so, then yes you should worry about it.

You look good now, so my advice would be to try and suck it up and eat as much of your maintenance as you can, otherwise you will start losing precious muscle.

(I know what you mean though, the days I work out more and do HIIT I have no appetite)

suzycreamcheese

im half marathon training and ive just found the best way to maintain now is to just go by appetite rather than numbers on here. I still like to come here and participate, but ive found by eating what i fancy within reason and running all that mileage, my weight seems to have stabilised.

Are you continuing to lose?

JDMPWR

the problem with this scenario is a huge deficit constantly without a something to fuel your body like protein will sooner or later start to attack muscle.

If you ever seen a true hardcore runner's diet you see they take in a good amount of carbs before running to fuel the run. I would say apply more carbs and protein from the moment you wake till when you run to cut down on the deficit but make sure you have a good mix of simple and complex carbs and some protein. I have been told that runners like to eat Casein protein over whey do to slower digestion.

I am not a runner but by what I know this seems to make sense.

bunchesonothing

It's hard to say if I'm still losing, strangely enough. It bounces(and it's been hot recently---how much is due to hydration? I'm currently watching this.) This hasn't been a long term problem. I've recently hit my goal. I'm trying to nip it in the butt early. As was said, I don't want to start losing muscle.

arc918

As marathoners we tread a fine line. I just upped my calories as MFP was creating a larger deficit than I wanted. Most every Saturday I run long (15 -20), I can't even come close to eating back my calories burned.

It is also easy to use your running as a license to eat non-stop. I've put on (unwanted) lbs while running 50+ miles per week. Thanks to MFP, I'm back down where I should be.

kelsully

I make sure that I go a little over the night before my long runs...at least those over 10 miles as I need the fuel and I usually just can't make up the deficit otherwise...I try to make sure I fuel as well as possible on long days but don't try too hard to eat them all back...but try to get within at least 300 of goal....This is when I might have a beer with my hubby atfter the kids go to bed...I like a good hearty beer so that eats up a lot.

bunchesonothing

So that's why so many of the runners are love beer!

bunchesonothing

That actually sounds like a great idea! I think I'll try that.