Should I Carbo Load Before the Marathon?
Should I Carbo Load Before the Marathon?Is carbo loading just a myth? Will eating more carbohydrates the day before the marathon help my endurance?Answer: The expert physician panel at the 2005 Marathon Directors College said carbohydrate loading has been dropped by most serious marathoners. You should eat a normal diet with 60-70% carbohydrates the week before the marathon, but do not increase your total calories. The Old Carbo-Loading Theory The older regimen had endurance athletes go on a low carb diet for 3 days, followed by a 70% carb diet for 3 days. This supposedly increased the glycogen in the muscles. However, it was found that eating a moderate 50% carb diet followed by 3 days of a 70% carb diet increased the glycogen just as much. And simply staying on a 50% carb diet all week still increased the glycogen, although not as much. There was no performance difference between any of these groups. Dangers of the Carbo-Loading Pasta Party The worst thing you can do for your maratho
