End of Week Two- Feeling Sciencey

So week two was going well, I was very, very bored of chicken but my perseverance was getting me through. Then Friday came and it really demonstrated science in action. Let me explain.

Friday evening I was running in a 10K with some friends. It was a twilight 10K where the slogan was ‘beat the sunset’ which translated to running a 10k in under 52 minutes. This isn’t an impossible feat by any stretch but if you don’t do a bit of practice then it’s going to be tough.

I had planned on running this 10K slower than 52 minutes, an hour was my target. Why? Because I wanted to maximise my fat burning. Put simply your body has three systems for using energy; ATP, aerobic and anaerobic. These three systems will use different energy sources. If you’re running at a slower, comfortable pace for an extended period your body will be using more of its fat stores. My problem? I was in a position Friday where I was running with someone who wanted to beat the sunset. That meant we were running quicker, meaning my body was wanting to use its carbohydrate stores. However, I hadn’t properly prepared for that as I was hoping to run slower and use more fat stores. The result? We did the 10K in 50.22 so we beat the sunset but I was spent! I had cramp at the end and would have probably been very sore the next day if it wasn’t for the complimentary massages we took advantage of pre and post race. The lesson? Science is right. Obvious, but I had never really tested the carb loading theory by doing the opposite and seeing how I felt. I didn’t feel at my best, I was sluggish and it didn’t feel comfortable. Therefore, if you are gearing up to a race what you put in really does make a big difference…. Believe me!

Actually it makes a big difference at any time, race or no race. We just don’t realise it because quite often we are stuck in our ways and we don’t test it. People don’t realise how bad they felt until they change their diet and start feeling good. Then they start feeling great. Then they realise how bad they did feel and they don’t look back. The problem is it’s a slow process and people don’t give it time to work and take full effect and they give up and go back to putting their health at risk. It’s simple science, put the right stuff in, get the best results out. It’s down to you to test the theory

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