Question for Runners with E

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Dignan

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The brain uses glycogen for energy. The body uses up glycogen stores when running. Does anyone know if this ever produces a problem for runners with E?

Does running long distances cause any potential problems? I've run varied distances in the past up to half marathon type distance and not had any problems. (Had a seizure a full day after going on a long run once, but don't think it was related at all.)

The reason I ask is that I am thinking of beginning training again and trying to get my body trained to use fat stores instead of glycogen for energy. To do that, you have to push till you are ready to "bonk" and let your body convert to using fat instead of carbs and such for fuel... I think.

Just wanted to know if anyone knew about how all this glycogen for brain and using that for running stuff might affect those with E, especially as the get into running longer distances.

For those interested in what bonking is and what the physiologic factors are see this link..

http://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-runners/science-behind-bonking?page=single
 
A lot of times if I'm pretty tired and over exerted myself I may have a seizure. It may not happen right then and there but it might happen the next day.

I spent almost all day today seriously cleaning the house, not just a little dusting here and there. I'm afraid that I may have a seizure tomorrow.
 
In my case, my taking up running coincided with the longest stretch of going seizure free in my life. So, for me, I feel like the exercise and exertion has had a positive effect in preventing seizures overall.

I was just wondering about people with experience running long distances and the whole idea of glycogen and the brain and the runners "bonk" or hitting the wall, so to speak.
 
Overdoing a work-out can lead me to a seizure that following night. Doesn't seem to matter if it is weight training, cardio or both. I think there have to be other factors in the previous couple of days that will lead to the seizure, and not solely the work-out, like stress or not getting as much sleep as I felt I needed in the past couple of days. I try to draw the line during the work-out and say "okay, that's enough", but what is simply "enough" one day may be overdoing it another day. It is so difficult to know!
 
My understanding is that it's the hyperventilation (fast, heavy breathing) that is likely to trigger a seizure.
 
Looks like I may have covered this already in a post from a few years ago.. Sorry for being repetitive; looks like I need to remember questions I've already asked before doing it all over again.

This is the old thread..

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f20/exercise-epilepsy-11720/


Although my question to those with experience in increasing their mileage and hitting the wall is still relevant.. if anyone has an opinion there..
 
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does this need to be linked to epilepsy and sex thread to ?
 
Hi Dignan, I've ran 25-30 marathons but all before E entered my life. My last marathon was a year and a half ago. As a runner, it seems crazy to want to bring on your wall earlier than later although I understand your reasoning. I always hit my wall around mile 18-20, if everything was working well. In order to force your system to use fat as a primary energy source, you'd just need to focus your training and your body will adjust.

High-volume training increases the amount and size of mitochondria, more mitochondria means more fat metabolism, more ATP, and more energy. After two to three hours of running, the leg muscles run low on glycogen. Hormonal adjustments to the low glycogen levels shift fat metabolism into an even higher gear. I suppose to shift this sooner, you would need to train at the top of your fat burning zone. Your training should be conducted close to the highest speed that you can run without going anaerobic. This is the speed where fat metabolism is at its highest. For experienced runners, the maximum steady state equals an intensity of 70 to 75 percent of maximum heart rate. But, don't run too fast because at faster paces, oxygen demand exceeds supply and you're back to running anaerobic and energy switches back to carbs...and then lactic acid builds up...ouch. :/
Raising the lactate threshold so that you can sustain longer runs (marathon) is good and I always did it by adding tempo runs into my training, running at 30 secs per mile faster than marathon pace.
I miss running and would love to get back into it. It's truly a science, to do it with as little damage to the body as possible. In my bedroom I still have all of my bibs and medals that go around the room, like border paper. My last marathon was the L.A. Marathon and I ran it barefoot. Talk about altering training to accommodate...I had to build a whole new set of muscles that don't usually get used in the foot and lower leg (I had some buff feet muscles!) It was fun but crazy. :) I've run backwards, barefoot, in costumes, and challenged myself for speed. It's a passion I've let go of in the last year due to E but you've given me something to think about!
Good luck with your training and sorry I couldn't be more help, I've just never trained this way before.
 
that's impressive, running barefoot was always impressive

I use to be a long distance cyclist. I kinda miss it. but having a seizure on a bicycle doing 27-30 mph and totaling a rare $2000 dollar bicycle, that kinda sucked.

I gave the past few days trying to get back onto my exercise routine since the weather has been dropping and I enjoy it, and of course i had a seizure the third or fourth time in. I will probably get back onto I was sitting there debating eating for it, I have to up my calorie intake a fair amount for my cycling
 
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Ouch!! That would hurt! At least having a seizure while running wouldn't hurt as bad. I'm not sure how to train for an endurance sport or race while being on any type of E diet, such as modified atkins, etc. since carbs are fuel. I think the two wouldn't work so well, even though proteins are good too... still need the carbs.
 
I had to give up carb loading and stuff used to be a big part of my diet, it leads to psych breaks and stuff. I kinda miss it, once you get used to it, you like it.




the worse ever is falling over and the fingers get caught in the wheels while they are spinning. or have finger burned by a spinning tire while you are post tical. it has happened to me, i have a friction burn a 1/32nd inch deep on my thumb because of it,
 
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