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

Summary

In 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.