Long distance hiking, diet & diabetes

[Martin Canty]

This is an interesting article that I just came across about the effects of a long distance hike had on the metabolism of one of the hikers...

The guy appeared to be on the boarder of pre-diabetes (D was also in his family) & talks at length about blood sugar & diet coming to an epiphany about the effects of refined carbs

Note to self: the article is way more interesting if I include the typerlink!!! Doh!!!
http://www.outsideonline.com/2125031/what-happens-your-body-during-thru-hike

 

[Northerner]

Sort of what you might expect really, but interesting to see it laid out with the numbers and analysis 🙂 He's about the same build as me, although 23 years my junior 😱 I'm currently 137 pounds (down from 163 at the start of the year!) and same height, so similar BMI 🙂

I found this interesting:

I can now go on long runs without consuming gels and other foods, or at least a significantly reduced amount.

I've recently discovered that I can run 10 miles without needing supplementary carbs - until recently I would have needed something around 7-8 miles, so it looks like my fat-burning is improving with my training. My body fat %-age is twice his (currently 10.3%), but that tends to be higher as you get older, and it is still falling after starting the year at around 19%.

 

[Owen]

This an interesting read, maybe if I can't get to full running?

 

[BigMalc]

I like the idea, but have no way to avoid that insurmountable problem of having to be in the office 46 weeks a year, 10+ hours a day!

 

[Owen]

I like the idea, but have no way to avoid that insurmountable problem of having to be in the office 46 weeks a year, 10+ hours a day!

Perhaps a way of making better use of the two days a week away from servitude?

 

[BigMalc]

True, it would be a more consistent approach than my 'either running or lounging' approach at the minute - all feast or famine!

 

[Martin Canty]

I ran an aid station for a 100 mile ultra marathon a few weeks ago, despite the fact that we were told by one of the organizers to have ramen noodles readily available all the time, the top runners (after 70 miles) were only interested in nuts & water. The rest of the runners preferred bacon & very cheesy quesadillas over the more carb laden foods.