[Boomer-61]

I'm not an ultra runner but I do some long bike rides. I use to indulge in the gels to keep me going and after about the 3rd one they just got sickening. I read Stu Mittleman's book Slow Burn and that changed things for me. Stu is/was a successful ultra distance runner. He recommends getting off the high carb diet that has been pounded into my head my whole athletic life. He explains that if you stay low on the food chain (simple unprocessed foods) and get refined carbs off your diet your body will convert to a fat using machine. I was a bit dubious but I gave it a try. I weaned myself off of the carbs and in about two weeks I was back to training hard feeling fine even on longer rides. The last MTB ride I was on I had a turkey burger and spinach for breakfast and did not get hungry at all in the 3 + hours I was in the saddle. I drank water with lemon juice during the ride. It has been a transformation I can live with. If you can, find a copy of Stu's book and give it a read. If you can make the transformation you will be a more efficient machine. As an aside, there are some studies that directly relate joint inflammation to highly processed sugars. Good luck with your running plan.