Chief Unicorn Officer
So, I'm running about 10 miles more per week than in the fall, for a little over 50 mpw total. That's a lot for me--as most of you know I'm really a 5K gal and don't do long distance races so my mileage never really has to be too crazy. However, this is a big change for me, and I have found that over the last few weeks I want to EAT EVERYTHING IN SIGHT. I mean, if it's not nailed down, I want to eat it. It is not so much junk food cravings as it is simply I want to eat more overall. I feel like I get hungrier much quicker after I eat than I used to.
I've gained about two pounds which may not seem like a lot but its a solid two pounds, not a daily fluctuation--I weigh myself every day and I'm averaging two pounds more, know what I mean? I don't want this to turn into a problem. I'm not really a reward eater, meaning, I don't say to myself "I ran 10 miles today so I'm going to have cake." I'm just hungrier more than I was.
How have others dealt with this? My main question is, will my body catch up and stop wanting to feed constantly? I'm only in my 4th week of this noticeably increased mileage so I'm wondering if I'll eventually adjust or what. Please weigh in (HA HA) with your experiences.
Mile 5:49 - 5K 19:58 - 10K 43:06 - HM 1:36:54
Do you get something to eat shortly after running? I discovered that was key, especially with my long runs. If I didn't have a good post-run recovery drink/meal within 30 minutes of finishing a long run, the next day I was starved. I wasn't usually hungry right after finishing the run, so had to find a way to get myself to take in calories - usually a smoothie w/Greek yogurt, frozen fruit and some milk.
You might make a point of getting a few more calories just after runs, especially your 10-mile-plus runs.
20,000 miles behind me, the world still to see.
Yeah. Been there. My experience has been that after several weeks at higher mileage (compared to what I had been doing), my body calms down the cravings. To a point... when I'm running 90-110, I am eating CONSTANTLY.
I wouldn't worry about a couple pounds, I suspect your body will catch up and things will get back to normal. Well, where "normal" still involves eating a slight bit more than you were used to.
I've also found that when I bump my mileage, I have to be really hardcore about eating brefass. I have been known to skip brefass on days where Real Life is bananas... no can do when I bump. Not only does it make my day's workout(s) suck, but I wind up piling in too much later.
(for the record, I gained 15 pounds in a 4 week period recently because of meds and having to stop running while my body still wanted to eat like a runner. Maybe don't listen to me)
I have absolutely the same experience here. Increasing mileage means I'm eating anything I can catch. For me I'm actually down about a pound or two to about 154 (I'm 6-2) so I don't really want to lose anything. I try to eat balanced meals throughout the day and I figure it'll stabilize once I get acclimated to the mileage.
Train smart ... race smarter.
It takes me a couple of weeks at the new mileage level to regulate. It will get better - promise!
This is very good to hear! I'm trying to be somewhat healthy about it, but as I spooned frozen yogurt directly from the carton tonight, I thought Houston, we have a problem. I usually just have a protein shake for breakfast but I may try to have something a little more substantial and see how I feel during the day tomorrow.
Are we there, yet?
Going through something similar now myself.
2024 Races:
03/09 - Livingston Oval Ultra 6-Hour, 22.88 miles
05/11 - D3 50K 05/25 - What the Duck 12-Hour
06/17 - 6 Days in the Dome 12-Hour.
The hardest for me was that I got so accustomed to eating all the time. So when my mileage went down during taper, I was still in the habit of eating a lot. Now I need to find the happy middle ground - both in the mileage and the eating habits.
Village people
Funny, I have been hungry all day.
Good to hear that it will settle down. I think I will just run more. Less hours in the day sitting around thinking anout what I can eat,
Funny because for various reasons I've run only once in the past 11 days (well, I'm going out now to run) and have actually lost weight.
Not a dude
I have no advice for you, MJ, because I am pretty much always hungry. I have yet to find that perfect balance that enables me to consume just what I need without feeling hungry. I can put away some food for sure. I've started food logging so I can try to figure it all out...and maybe lose a few pounds.
I'm encouraged to know that other people have figured it out!
Refurbished Hip
Yeah, mileage around 50+ mpw usually makes me ravenous. I started to buy things in the family size and I live alone.
Running is dumb.
I used to be like that. (running more and eating lots). Now I'm running more than ever and my husband said his vacuum cleaner (me) is gone. I'm barely eating much as compared to what I ate before. And I've gained 3lbs and not eating enough. WTF?
Damaris
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levitation specialist
If it is a solid 2lbs, I would say you need it. Your body is probably busy building stuff and is needing the extra. If you don't feed the mileage, the mileage will eat you up!
Sounds like you are making healthy choices though, so I wouldn't worry unless they didn't come back off(the lbs) when I dropped my mileage again.
Proud Calgarian
I wish I could eat everything in sight, I've been running in between 75-85 mpw and I have such a low metabolism that I eat pitifully small portions. Take for example today:
Breakfast - A bowl of cereal (1 1/4 cups of cereal, 3/4 cup skim milk)
Snack - All-bran bar
Late snack - 1/2 cup of yogurt
Lunch - Cup of rice
Afternoon snack - Fruit (apple & banana)
Late dinner - Tomato soup & 1/2 cup of cottage cheese
Any more than that, and I gain weight pretty quickly!
2015 Goals and PRs:
5k - 17:59 (18:05); 10k - 35:59 (36:42); HM - 1:19:19 (1:19:59); FM - 2:49:59 (3:05:46)