Dathan Ritzenhein is a very talented distance runner. His resume includes 2 Footlocker National cross country titles in high school, an NCAA cross country title, and some very impressive PRs at distances ranging from 2 miles to the marathon.
Despite this success and his enormous talent, Dathan appears to be on a somewhat misguided course, at least that is what it looks like from the outside.
Claiming that he read how he might improve by dropping a few pounds, Dathan admitted to dieting prior to the U.S. National Track and Field Championships, and was forced to stumble weakly across the finish. He bonked at the New York Marathon last year and now this quote in the Eugene Register-Guard, "In the marathon,” Ritzenhein said, “you have to build up your tank as much as you can, and take in as much fuel as you can during the race, because the human body really can’t store the optimal amount of energy for that distance at that effort."
Anybody foolish enough to "take in as much fuel as you can" during a marathon is indeed headed to disaster- in the form of some nasty gastric distress. Too bad he didn't heed his own advice at the Track and Field Championships and go into that race fully loaded 1-2 pounds heavy.
Approximately 60 grams of carbohydrate per hour is about all your body can use Moderate Carbohydrate Intake Best During Exercise?
Ritz, you are as tough as they come and I hope you have a good race but for Pete's sake get some professional advice on sports nutrition. At your level you can't afford not to.
No comments:
Post a Comment