Comments on My Dirt Road Anthem: Confessions from a month of Paleo/Primal from a runner

I liked reading your perspective and what you like...

2013-02-20T22:01:19.534-07:00

I liked reading your perspective and what you liked and didn't like about trying paleo. I love my carbs too much, but I also struggle with finding a happy balance of them. If I over eat carbs I feel yucky, but if I don't eat enough my running also suffers. Glad to hear that you decided to add some carbs back in!

I agree that you have to do what works for you. I ...

2013-02-20T21:29:44.778-07:00

I agree that you have to do what works for you. I am very carb sensitive so cutting put the grains and pseudo grains/grasses has worked well for me. I cannot see myself ever going back.

I do eat a lot of fruit and squash and sweet potatoes so enough starchy carbs there for me for sure and if I have to eat more often for longer distances, so be it.

Good to keep paying attention and I think we all need to listen to our own bodies... cannot imagine why you would feel bad cause you want to eat grains!

I haven't looked into the paleo diet, so I don...

2013-02-20T20:11:22.571-07:00

I haven't looked into the paleo diet, so I don't know. But based on no grains, I'm not. I don't eat grains that often other than home made bread (we do eat Eziqiel bread for sandwiches) and occasionally pasta. Other than that, I eat a lot of fruit and veggies as well as adding chia seeds and ground flax to some foods. Quite a bit of nuts as well as nut butters, too. I went completely vegan aout a month ago and haven't looked back! I missed cheese and yogurt at first, but it was easier to give them up than when I gave up sugary stuff 4+ years ago. As for how this new diet has effected my running? Well, the past 16 months have been spent with low running miles (about 500) with no long runs or races. But it hasn't hurt the shorter runs.
You definitely have to do what works for you!

I had the same experience with it! I think that I...

2013-02-20T19:57:41.041-07:00

I had the same experience with it! I think that I feel better eating minimal carbs, but my running is not so great when I completely cut out all grains. I just need some in the morning :).

I haven't tried the Paleo Diet, but I feel lik...

2013-02-20T16:47:49.430-07:00

I haven't tried the Paleo Diet, but I feel like it's so important to listen to your body--it will tell you what it needs. I tried training for a marathon while eating a vegetarian diet and I got sick and injured, which was a real learning experience. I think you're doing the right thing by giving your body what it needs, especially when what it's craving isn't junk.

Interesting! I haven't tried it but the pre-ru...

2013-02-20T15:48:24.163-07:00

Interesting! I haven't tried it but the pre-run carbs made sense... Especially for a runner. Everything in moderation is what I lean towards.

I have sort of tried Paleo and I feel great so far...

2013-02-20T15:37:20.510-07:00

I have sort of tried Paleo and I feel great so far...but I haven't been sticking 100% to the plan, so I can't say that I actually truly "tried" it. I do know that I feel SO much better in the afternoons! I used to feel tired all the time and now I feel great. I think a balanced diet overall is what's best - nothing wrong with a little oatmeal! :0)

I think that is kind of what I am leaning towards ...

2013-02-20T14:12:16.396-07:00

I think that is kind of what I am leaning towards doing too.

That was my problem with it too. The first couple...

2013-02-20T14:11:20.356-07:00

That was my problem with it too. The first couple of miles would feel good and then ... Blah

I'm attempting it now! I'm not a long dist...

2013-02-20T12:38:05.120-07:00

I'm attempting it now! I'm not a long distance runner, but I do notice that it does affect me on heavy workout/strength training days. I feel like I'm not fueled properly. I'm hoping it will pass, or that it gets better!

I think you're right on as well! I tried to ge...

2013-02-20T12:07:44.043-07:00

I think you're right on as well! I tried to get away from grains and then regretted it. What I do now is I eat grains but I only eat them for breakfast or lunch, no later. Thanks for sharing with us!

I'm really glad to read this! I tinker with th...

2013-02-20T11:32:17.283-07:00

I'm really glad to read this! I tinker with the thought of paleo, but have always worried about the lack of quality carbs for endurance. I think you went about this the right way. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us!

Haaa! Sounds good to me! I could never give up g...

2013-02-20T11:10:27.399-07:00

Haaa! Sounds good to me! I could never give up grains because I'm a vegetarian triathlete, enough said :-) but on top of that pasta is my favorite!! Happy Running!

Can I get an Amen! I loved your post. I can no ...

2013-02-20T10:50:40.335-07:00

Can I get an Amen! I loved your post. I can no live without carbs! I try and make healthy carb choices bu eliminating them all together is not going to happen!

I love that you have such a reasonable, balanced r...

2013-02-20T10:47:27.841-07:00

I love that you have such a reasonable, balanced review of your month on Paleo. I've wondered how it works for endurance athletes, vs the strength focused that usually use it as a diet... interesting!

Good points! I did it for a month last year, and y...

2013-02-20T10:34:16.584-07:00

Good points! I did it for a month last year, and yes the loss of the bloat was amazing. I although I will admit I cheated and allowed proper fueling for runs, like PB Sandwich and fuel when running. I think you can find a happy balance of 80/20 and still get all the benefits form Paleo eating.

You should check out Solana's blog - she runs ...

2013-02-20T09:41:56.468-07:00

You should check out Solana's blog - she runs marathons and ultras on a paleo-type diet and blogs about it all the time
http://www.solanaleigh.com/

Paleo isn't terribly veg friendly so I don't think it is something that would work for me and my family, but it is terribly interesting to read everyone's experiences with it.

I say if God gave it to us it must be good, of cou...

2013-02-20T09:16:21.164-07:00

I say if God gave it to us it must be good, of course he gave us pot to so there might be some holes in that theory ;-)
I think it is all about balance and staying away from processed foods is high on the list.
Good job on sticking with it for a whole month!

Right on! This is what I've always said/though...

2013-02-20T08:58:12.441-07:00

Right on! This is what I've always said/thought about Paleo. You really can't do it if you want to be an endurance runner, it just doesn't make sense. Runners definitely NEED carbs and not just carbs from veggies. I'm glad you experimented, there is no way I could give up carbs, so now this validates my opinion. Lol, I'm such a jerk.

Great job Christy! I am leary of anything that te...

2013-02-20T07:51:40.203-07:00

Great job Christy! I am leary of anything that tells us to delete a whole food category. I have never tried Paleo, sounds like a lot of work:)