Half-Marathon Hunger

gabalabs
gabalabs Posts: 10 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hey everyone! I completed my first half-marathon on Sunday, and I'm supposed to rest without any exercise for three-five days. That's all fine and dandy because I'm waaaay too sore to do anything like that, but my daily calorie allotment is 1,400. I can usually manage alright with some hunger throughout the day, but I am STARVING.

Does anyone have experience with long-distance running/recovery and have any advice. I'm not killing myself on sticking to the count, but I don't want to gain weight...

Replies

  • Of_Monsters_and_Meat
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat Posts: 1,022 Member
    Yeah. you just ran a 1/2 marathon. EAT!

    really it won't be that bad to satisfy your hunger.
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    Did you figure out how much your burned during the marathon? Do that, and eat it back over the rest days and focus on your protein especially. Your body needs it to recover.
  • astronomicals
    astronomicals Posts: 1,537 Member
    Really? No exercise for 5 days? Id expect walking to be beneficial. Who says to take 5 rest days after running 13 miles? You oughtta be easy on yourself, but, no activity seems extreme.
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    first off, congrats!

    Secondly, stay off the scale this week. Your weight will be all over the place, since your muscles are storing water for repair.

    I agree with what someone said about protein.

    Rather than 3-5 days off entirely, I would suggest going for light walks, or even a very slow short run with a lot of stretching. Active recovery is where its at.

    I don't know your height, but only 1400 calories with less than 10lbs to lose seems pretty low.
  • gabalabs
    gabalabs Posts: 10 Member
    When I said "no activity," I meant a passive recovery phase. I'm not bed ridden or anything! I have a decent enough walk from my car to my classes at school. What I read encouraged light walking or even jogging/other exercise after a few days. I'm extra sore because I just started running at all for real in November, and I kind of rushed myself on this.

    I agree with whoever said to stay off the scale...I should definitely do that. So frustrating.

    I'm about 5'9 (5'8 3/4). Goal weight of 140lbs. Current weight dances around 148.

    Thanks for the quick feedback, everyone, and the kind words! I've never posted before.
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    When I said "no activity," I meant a passive recovery phase. I'm not bed ridden or anything! I have a decent enough walk from my car to my classes at school. What I read encouraged light walking or even jogging/other exercise after a few days. I'm extra sore because I just started running at all for real in November, and I kind of rushed myself on this.

    I agree with whoever said to stay off the scale...I should definitely do that. So frustrating.

    I'm about 5'9 (5'8 3/4). Goal weight of 140lbs. Current weight dances around 148.

    Thanks for the quick feedback, everyone, and the kind words! I've never posted before.

    No wonder you're hungry!

    I'm 5'9, and eat 2700 a day in high mileage training (2200-2400 a day when not training (which still includes 25 miles/week)- 2400 would have me maintaining 145lbs, 2200 would have me losing slightly). I would think of re-working your calorie goals. At 1400, I'm surprised you haven't killed an eaten a neighbor or coworker :laugh:

    With so little to lose, don't try such a huge deficit. Aim for 0.5lbs/week. You won't be able to sustain a strong running program on so little for very long.

    For more info, read these:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/952996-level-obstacles-lose-weight-target-fat-easy

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • gabalabs
    gabalabs Posts: 10 Member
    Okay, thanks! I wasn't running FAST, but it was still really hard....it turns out I also have an average heart rate of 180-190 beats a minute during workouts. I thought my HRM was broken, but a cardiologist confirmed this. He said my heart is really healthy, though, and not to worry!
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Okay, thanks! I wasn't running FAST, but it was still really hard....it turns out I also have an average heart rate of 180-190 beats a minute during workouts. I thought my HRM was broken, but a cardiologist confirmed this. He said my heart is really healthy, though, and not to worry!

    That is high, but trust your cardiologist if he says its fine :smile:

    More than speed being an issue (actually, the more you run, the more your heart rate should come down), its just having enough fuel to get through the distance. 10 miles, run at any pace, will still generally be around 1000 calories. If you aren't eating enough to compensate, you will start seeing things like thinning hair, brittle nails, and muscle loss.

    Fueling properly, eating enough protein, and a good training plan (one that includes strength/resistance training) will get you where you want to be!

Categories