Runner on McDonald's-only diet

I saw this article and found it hard to believe. McDonald's "food", particularly the limited intake the articles subject eats, doesn't seem sufficient to provide reasonable nutrition to anyone, much less fuel a marathoner. But that's just my opinion. If he hits his target marathon time of 2:36, I'll be really impressed.  Just the same, this won't become my training diet anytime soon. Still, it was an interesting piece.

Updated Mar 10, 2011 9:52 PM ET

A long-distance runner from suburban Chicago is training for an upcoming marathon by feasting on a diet consisting solely of McDonald's, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Thursday.

 

Joe D'Amico, 36, decided to combine his two favorite things – running and McDonalds – in the 30 days leading up to the Los Angeles marathon by only eating meals from the fast-food chain while he trains.

The daily menu for the lean D'Amico consists of a serving of hotcakes and an Egg McMuffin for breakfast, a grilled chicken sandwich and a large Coke for lunch, and a hamburger and fries for dinner, according to the report.

D'Amico told the paper that unlike filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, who packed on more than 20 pounds when he documented his daily McDonald's meals in the 2004 film "Super Size Me," he is not gaining weight because he is running 100 miles every week.

Although his doctor said his regimen is not ideal for long-distance running training, D'Amico insists he has been "feeling really good."

So good, in fact, that he is aiming to beat his personal best marathon time of two hours and 36 minutes when he runs the race March 20.

http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/Illinois-marathon-runner-only-eats-McDonalds-as-he-trains-for-his-next-race-031011

Training Log - Day 38

My 5-6th grade basketball team won 27-10 this morning. The kids played agressive D and put together some good offense.

It feels great to be out on the road again. Tomorrow I plan to determine my Max HR so I can ensure my HR targets are correct. As I look to go on longer weeekend runs, I will begin to research and experiment with hydration carriers and electrolyte options. I will begin with TranRockies to see what electrolyte drinks and energy supplements they plan to offer at aid stations.

Time of Day - 12:30 pm
Weather - Sunny, blue sky; 60 degrees
Route - St Vrain Greenway to big tree
Distance - not sure
Pace - slow
Duration - 47:35
Average HR - 154
Cross training - Core 10 minutes
iPod - Sugarland (can't get enough of Jennifer Nettles)
Comments - Shoulder is a little stiff but no problem running. Legs felt strong, right knee a little sore.

Run, Willie, Run!

T-182 Days

Yesterday was a bit of an eye opener for me. I spent the day with my attorney and the consensus is that I'm losing weight faster than I thought. Although I feel like I'm eating all the time, I've heard this several times now. I've got to work on my calorie intake to make sure that I'm getting what I need. This has never been an issue before, but it seems to be now, so I'll have to increase my protein intake for one thing.

Time of Day - 8:25 AM
Weather - Partly cloudy, 59°, windy
Route - Stonebridge Ranch: Lake Forest to McKinney Ranch to Ridge to Virginia to Lake Forest
Distance - 8 or 9 miles, not sure
Pace - Medium
Duration - 1:21:40
Average HR - Unknown
Cross training - Later tonight, core work
iPod - Maroon 5, various. Not the greatest choice for an intense workout
Comments - I had the normal aches and pains and was a little stiff as I got started fairly quickly after waking up. Generally felt pretty good. At the 68 minute mark I felt a wave of strength and I was fast to the finish. I wanted to extend my time on the road over the weekend and I successfully accomplished that.  Tomorrow I'll need to do it again.

Gatorade G Series

I've been messing around with some nutritional supplements, mainly in the form of Clif Bars and Gatorade products.  Running certainly makes you hungry.

Gatorade recently introduced the G Series, a three product set designed to fuel your body before, during and after a workout.  I thought I'd give G 02 Perform and G 03 Recover a try.

I took a bottle of G 02 with me for my run yesterday. It's basically the original Gatorade that I've used for years.  Featuring sodium, potassium and carbs, it's great at maintaining proper hydration and cramp prevention. G 02 tastes great too.  Featuring 14g of carbs per serving, G 02 gives you plenty of what you need to keep you going. I remain a fan.

G 03 is another matter altogether. Gatorade bills 03 as the "first protein and carbohydrate post-exercise recovery drink formulated to quench your thirst while providing hydration and muscle-recovery benefits". It contains 7g of carbs and 8g of protein per serving.  Both products are fat free.

I drank and entire bottle of G 02 during my run and was never thirsty.  There was no cramping either, so I feel that this is an effective product.  Afterwards I hit the G 03.  While G 03 undoubtedly has the proper ingredient mix to fulfill its promise of an easier recovery, it misses the mark on taste.  Maybe its an acquired taste, but I found it less than appealing.  A quick chug and it was down, but I'd prefer a product that provided the stated recovery benefits without the aftertaste.  I guess we all have to suffer for our art.

Learn more here: http://www.gatorade.com/default.aspx#product?s=gatorade-g

T-303 Days

A change of scene and different terrain made for a great run.  I'm up in Fayetteville, Arkansas and the leaves are turning.  The scenery is great and the hills are a definite change from the flat lands of McKinney.  Somehow I managed to find a course that was up hill both going and coming!  Oh well.

Time of Day - 4:30 pm
Weather - Clear, windy, mid 70's
Route - Around the campus, by Baum Field and back up to Hill Place
Distance - 2.93 miles per my Nike +
Pace - 7:305 per mile
Time - 22:00 minutes
iPod - Kings of Leon, "Come Around Sundown"; first listen.  Definitely can tell that it's Kings.  So far I like.
Comments -  Good run in a great location.  The hills took a little extra energy, but I kept telling myself that compared to what is to come, this might as well be a downhill.  Mental preparation will be just as important as the physical.  My pace didn't seem to suffer too much.
Gear Comments - Tried the iPhone arm pad today.  I can't say I'm perfectly happy with it, but if I shorten the ear bud cord, it'll work great.  A nice addition. I also drank some of the Hammer energy drink before I ran.  I felt strong and had no cramping or tightness, so I'm liking this too!

More Gear and a little Nutrition

Heading to Fayetteville, Ark. today to see my oldest daughter Erin for parents weekend at the University of Arkansas.  Plan to use Gowalla a bit up there too.  I'm hoping to get a run or two in on the very hilly terrain of the University.  Should be fun.

I got some gear to help as well.  First, an arm band for my iPhone to provide the tunes.  I've been tucking it into the back pocket of one of my cycling shirts I use for running, but it still bounces a bit.  I'm not sure I'm going to like something on my arm, but I'll give it a shot.  I like my arms free of constraints when I'm running or cycling, but this came recommended, so I'm more than happy try it out. 

Next, I decided to try some nutrition from Hammer.  One is a pre-exercise drink loaded with electrolytes and carbs.  The second product is an energy gel also from Hammer.  The gel is probably more for use in event, but I'll try it out at some point as well.  Both are great energy products and should help with recovery as well.  Can't wait to try them and report on the results.  I've used amino products for endurance before, but not recently.  Still really enjoying all of this tremendously. 

As before, all products came from my neighborhood RunOn! store.  Thanks guys!

T-304 Days, Training

Another day on a familiar course.  It was great.  I worked up a serious sweat and made a serious stink.  actually my shirt was pretty rank when I got started.  I'm getting pretty close to extending my distance and adding maybe another 50% to the course or perhaps even doing it twice.  Not sure I'm fully up for it, but I have to push for at least a little more soon.  I think I'll be alright with it. Yesterday (T-305) was an off day.

Time of Day - Noonish
Weather - Warm, low 80's, some wind, but not bad
Route - Bogata loop +, complete
Distance - Not sure;
Pace -Not sure; having trouble with Nike +
Time - 19 minutes active running, more warm up, stretch and cool down
iPod - Led Zepplin, "Mothership (Remastered Best Of)"; if "Immigrant Song" can't get you going, what can?
Comments - It felt good.  Body is loose.  The stretching is getting easier and easier and I have a goal of getting my hands flat on the floor with feet together while keeping my legs straight.  Maybe in 3 weeks time! 

Willie - Try some new Feetures! socks for the top of your foot.  Also maybe a shoe with off-set laces would be worth a try going forward.  Could take some pressure off the top of your foot.  Hope that gets better for you.  We're both going to need to start on some recovery drinks soon too.  Need those aminos.