Marathon training and I'm starving

Somebody_Loved
Somebody_Loved Posts: 498 Member
edited December 1 in Food and Nutrition
As the title says - I'm 4 weeks out from my first marathon and I'm always hungry. I very recently changed my goal from 1 lb/week (1200/day) to .5/week (1380) + exercise calories but I still feel tired and hungry so I'm going to move into maintenance until after the race.

My question is - do I just change my goal to maintenance now or should I increase my calories incrementally over the next few weeks? For reference, 5'6, 31 yr old female, CW 126.

Thanks!

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    edited May 2016
    I had to eat at maintenance for half marathon training... long runs killed me!

    Just bump it up, it's only another 250 cals
  • Somebody_Loved
    Somebody_Loved Posts: 498 Member
    @TavistockToad - Great, thank you!
  • cecsav1
    cecsav1 Posts: 714 Member
    I have no advice, as I hate cardio, lol, but props on your marathon!!!
  • Somebody_Loved
    Somebody_Loved Posts: 498 Member
    @cecsav1 - Ha, thank you!
  • brb_2013
    brb_2013 Posts: 1,197 Member
    Definitely doesn't sound like adequate calories for the amount of training surely required for a marathon. I'd definitely eat more food.
  • doddsar127
    doddsar127 Posts: 18 Member
    Not an expert but have heard that the type of fatigue you are describing typically occurs from mineral deficits... Particularly if you are sweating a lot or are not fully hydrated during your training. Muscles need minerals as catalysts to keep firing. Look for deficits... particularly in potassium or magnesium. Ask a nurse or nutritionist.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    You're at a great weight for your height now! I'd say to increase your cals now because you need the energy now.
  • webbz92
    webbz92 Posts: 38 Member
    Congrats on your progress and training. For me a long run is 6-8 miles and for the next two days after, I feel like I could eat everything in my house.
  • generallyme2
    generallyme2 Posts: 403 Member
    When I train for a race, I go maintenance otherwise I'm crazy hungry all the time.... I mean, sometimes I am anyway but that's different haha. At some point you have to decide if the deficit is worth the lack of fuel. I almost always maintain weight during training, even though I'm running a lot, I need the fuel too.
  • Becca_250
    Becca_250 Posts: 188 Member
    Yeah I'm supposed to be on 1400 cals which is 0.5 per week but usually end up eating 1600-1800 at the moment since I'm out running so much. I would switch to maintenance for now and see how you feel, you're at a fab weight for your height just now anyway so even just maintain for the four weeks leading up to the race then you could re-evaluate after. Best of luck!
  • Somebody_Loved
    Somebody_Loved Posts: 498 Member
    I changed my goal to maintenance and am already loving seeing the higher number in my diary. Thanks so much for all the feedback!
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Somebody_Loved wrote: »
    I changed my goal to maintenance and am already loving seeing the higher number in my diary. Thanks so much for all the feedback!

    Just out of interest, how much more weight do you want to lose?
  • The_Enginerd
    The_Enginerd Posts: 3,982 Member
    Yeah, that's pretty normal. The runger is real!

    For the amount of training a marathon takes, it's best to maintain, especially in the later parts of the training cycle, so you are adequately fueled for those harder runs and can recover. Best to lose your weight in the off season.

    Also, given you are already lean and just getting leaner (your current BMI is 20.1), a 1 lb/week weight loss rate is too aggressive period IMHO. I would recommend sticking with 1/2 lb/week to get down to your goal weight once your marathon is over.
  • Somebody_Loved
    Somebody_Loved Posts: 498 Member
    @TavistockToad - I've been asking myself the same thing lately. I want to lose 5 more (vanity) pounds, but I'm happy with my currently lifestyle so maintaining where I'm at now is sounding more and more appealing.

    @The_Enginerd - I agree - if I decide to lose the last few after the marathon, I'll definitely set my goal to .5/week. Thanks so much for the feedback!
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