Can I Run 50 miles with ZERO Carbs | Carnivore Diet & Ultra Marathon | Part 3

Alex Tima

7 Jan 202308:08

Summary

TLDRIn this video, the host shares his experience of running a 50-mile ultra marathon in Malibu while strictly following a carnivore diet, relying solely on fat and protein for energy. He discusses the challenges of adapting to fat as a fuel source, the physical and mental struggles during the race, and the importance of proper preparation. Despite not completing the race due to a missed cutoff, the host is determined to learn from the experience and return next year better prepared.

Takeaways

🏃‍♂️ The runner attempted a 50-mile ultra marathon in Malibu on a carnivore diet, consuming no carbs and relying on fat and protein for energy.
🥩 It was mentioned that the body may need about 40 days to fully adapt to using fat as a fuel source, which is significant for the diet's effectiveness in endurance activities.
🗓️ The runner started the carnivore diet on November 12th, and the race took place on December 3rd, indicating the runner was still in the adaptation phase.
🏔️ The race involved significant elevation changes, with a total of 13,000 feet of elevation gain, which posed a considerable challenge.
🚶‍♂️ The runner's strategy was to walk and jog, maintaining a heart rate within the fat-burning zone to conserve energy.
🍗 The runner had to consume about 15,000 calories to sustain the effort but realized post-race that they did not have enough food or calories.
🌧️ The race conditions included muddy trails due to recent rain, which added extra weight and difficulty to the runner's journey.
🕰️ The runner faced a strict time cutoff at Mile 23, which they did not make, resulting in a Did Not Finish (DNF) status.
🧗‍♂️ Forgetting essential gear like hiking sticks and extra fat sources like olive oil negatively impacted the runner's performance.
💡 The experience highlighted the importance of preparation and the need for a longer adaptation period for the body to efficiently use fat as fuel during endurance events.
🔄 Despite the DNF, the runner is determined to return next year better prepared, reflecting a positive attitude towards learning from the experience.

Q & A

What type of diet was the runner following during the ultra-marathon?
-The runner was following a carnivore diet, which consists of consuming only fat and protein, and abstaining from carbohydrates.
How long was the ultra-marathon that the runner attempted?
-The ultra-marathon was 50 miles long, taking place in Malibu.
What was the runner's strategy for pacing during the race?
-The runner's strategy was to walk a mile and then jog, maintaining a heart rate between 120 to 135 to stay in the fat burn zone.
Why was the runner concerned about his heart rate during the race?
-The runner was concerned about his heart rate because without carbohydrates in his body, he needed to keep his heart rate low to avoid dipping into non-existent glycogen stores and hitting a wall.
What was the runner's first meal during the race, and why was it significant?
-The runner's first meal was beef tongue jerky, which was significant because he needed to consume about 15,000 calories to sustain the race but realized he did not have enough food or calories.
How did the weather conditions during the race affect the runner's performance?
-The weather conditions, specifically the mud from recent rain, added extra weight to the runner's shoes, slowed him down, and caused him physical discomfort.
What was the runner's strategy for dealing with the lack of fats at the aid stations?
-The runner had to dip into his old fat supply since the aid stations did not provide any fats, which was not part of his original plan.
Why did the runner feel that climbing was particularly challenging during this race?
-The runner felt that climbing was challenging due to the lack of carbohydrates, which he suspected made the climbs more difficult than usual.
What was the runner's experience with the cut-off time at Mile 23?
-The runner did not make the cut-off time at Mile 23, which was strict, and he was not allowed to continue the race even though he felt he could have finished if permitted.
What was the runner's overall assessment of his performance and preparation for the race?
-The runner felt he was ill-prepared for the race, realizing he needed more time for his body to adapt to using fat as fuel, better preparation with equipment and food, and more precise calorie calculations.
What lesson did the runner take away from this experience regarding the carnivore diet and endurance running?
-The runner learned that the carnivore diet can be challenging for endurance running, especially without proper preparation, and that it may require more than just dietary adaptation.
What was the runner's plan for the future after this experience?
-The runner planned to return next year better prepared to beat the level he failed this time, taking into account the lessons learned from this experience.

Outlines

00:00

🏃‍♂️ Ultra Marathon Carnivore Diet Challenge

The video script details an individual's experience running a 50-mile ultra marathon in Malibu on a strict carnivore diet, devoid of carbohydrates. The runner, having started the diet on November 12th, aims to test the diet's effectiveness for endurance events, despite the common recommendation to allow the body at least 40 days to adapt to using fat as a primary fuel source. The runner discusses the importance of pacing, heart rate control, and the challenges faced during the race, including the lack of carbohydrate-based energy and the physical demands of the course. The script also mentions the runner's friend Edwin, who also participates in ultra marathons, providing a sense of camaraderie and support during the event.

05:01

🚫 DNF: Lessons from an Ultra Marathon Failure

In the second part of the script, the runner recounts the difficulties encountered during the ultra marathon, including the harsh physical toll of the race, the absence of essential supplies like fat and water, and the missed cut-off time leading to a 'Did Not Finish' (DNF) outcome. The runner reflects on the importance of preparation, the need for a full 40 days of adaptation to the carnivore diet, and the necessity of carrying adequate gear and sustenance. Despite the failure to complete the race, the runner expresses a positive outlook, viewing the experience as a learning opportunity and a challenge to be overcome in the future. The script concludes with a reaffirmation of the runner's commitment to return to the race next year, better prepared and determined to succeed.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Ultra Marathon

An ultra marathon is a long-distance race that exceeds the traditional marathon length of 42.195 kilometers (26.219 miles). In the context of the video, the ultra marathon is the central event that the individual is participating in, covering a distance of 50 miles. This demonstrates the extreme physical challenge and endurance required, which is a key theme of the video.

💡Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet is a dietary regimen that involves consuming only animal-based foods, such as meat, fish, and eggs, while excluding all plant-based foods. The video discusses the individual's attempt to complete an ultra marathon on this diet, highlighting the challenge of relying solely on fat and protein for energy, which is a significant aspect of the narrative.

💡Fat Burn Zone

The 'fat burn zone' refers to a concept in exercise physiology where the body primarily uses fat for fuel during low to moderate-intensity exercise. The video mentions maintaining a heart rate within this zone to conserve glycogen stores, which is crucial for the individual's strategy of completing the ultra marathon without carbohydrates.

💡Glycogen

Glycogen is a form of glucose storage in the body, found primarily in the liver and muscles, and is used as a quick source of energy during physical activity. The video discusses the importance of conserving glycogen for the later stages of the race, as the individual is not consuming carbohydrates and must rely on fat as an energy source.

💡Calories

Calories are a measure of energy, and in the context of nutrition, they represent the energy content of food. The video highlights the importance of calorie intake for endurance athletes, as the individual realizes they did not consume enough calories to sustain the energy demands of the ultra marathon.

💡Elevation Gain

Elevation gain refers to the total amount of upward elevation change during a race or hike. The video mentions a significant elevation gain of 13,000 feet, which adds to the difficulty of the ultra marathon and affects the individual's pacing and energy management.

💡Pace

Pace in running refers to the speed at which a runner completes a certain distance. The video describes the individual's strategy of walking and jogging at a self-determined pace, which is influenced by their diet and the physical demands of the ultra marathon.

💡Heart Rate

Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute, and it is a key indicator of exercise intensity. The video discusses monitoring heart rate to stay within the fat burn zone, which is essential for the individual's strategy of completing the ultra marathon on a carnivore diet.

💡DNF (Did Not Finish)

DNF stands for 'Did Not Finish,' a term used in racing to indicate that a participant did not complete the race. The video recounts the individual's experience of not finishing the ultra marathon due to missing a cut-off time, which is a significant turning point in the narrative.

💡Adaptation

Adaptation in the context of the video refers to the body's physiological changes to accommodate a new diet or exercise regimen. The individual mentions that it takes about 40 days for the body to fully adapt to using fat as a fuel source, which is a critical factor in their attempt to complete the ultra marathon on a carnivore diet.

💡Gamification

Gamification is the application of game-design elements and principles in non-game contexts, such as personal development or fitness. The video ends with a reference to gamification, suggesting that the individual views life and its challenges, including the ultra marathon, as a game where they can learn, adapt, and improve.

Highlights

The runner attempted a 50-mile ultra marathon in Malibu on a carnivore diet, consuming no carbohydrates.

The experiment aimed to test the body's adaptation to using fat and protein as the sole fuel sources.

The runner started the carnivore diet on November 12th, less than a month before the marathon.

Edwin, a fellow ultra marathon runner, joined for support, despite different paces.

The runner's strategy involved walking and jogging to maintain a heart rate conducive to fat burning.

A 5K check-in revealed the absence of fat fuel at aid stations, forcing reliance on personal supplies.

Biltong jerky was the first meal, highlighting the importance of calorie intake for the endeavor.

The runner underestimated the calorie requirement for the race, realizing a significant shortfall.

Mud from previous rain made the course difficult, adding unexpected weight and challenge.

The runner experienced a climbing section with a high heart rate and the onset of 'hitting the wall'.

Forgetting olive oil and encountering aid stations without fats added to the difficulty.

A strict cut-off time at Mile 23 added pressure, with a remaining 10-mile section to complete.

The runner's secret mission was to find a rumored creature cited in Malibu, adding intrigue to the race.

Leaving hiking sticks at an aid station was a critical mistake, impacting the climb's difficulty.

The runner did not make the cut-off time and had to stop at 50K, despite feeling capable of continuing.

Post-race reflection indicated the need for better preparation and the importance of the 40-day adaptation period.

The experience was seen as a learning opportunity, with plans to return next year better prepared.

The runner concluded that the carnivore diet can be challenging for endurance events but is not impossible with proper preparation.

The video ends with a promise to revisit the race next year, signifying a positive outlook despite the DNF.