Any other long-distance athletes out there?

[octopusthorpe]

Hey all - question for the crazy mileage peeps.

I'm a long distance hiker (usually anywhere from 25-35 miles with 2000-2800ft elev gain every weekend) and also do powerlifting 3x/week. I started reta because in the past year I've put on quite a bit of "fluff" thanks to perimenopause, and it's been working like gangbusters. I started on March 25th at 162lb (I'm 5'10.5") on 1mg/week split into two 0.5mg doses, and today I weigh 148.

My performance with lifting has been fine, no impacts on my numbers that I wouldn't expect to see on a normal cut. Despite almost 4 weeks on reta, there's been minimal impacts to my RHR and HRV (RHR went from 46bpm to 49-51 and HRV went down a few points). My calorie intake has predictably declined, but my macros are still pretty solid.

I've done long-distance on a cut before and been fine, but I'm guessing since I'm eating at a higher deficit than I did on a normal cut, bonking earlier in the hike is to be expected. I went out yesterday and whereas with the glorious weather and usual pre-hike fueling, I would have done at least 25 miles no problem, but made it to 15 and was absolutely depleted. Sleep afterwards was fine (sleep score was 88 and RHR was 50).

Of course now that I've typed all this out it stands to reason my endurance would be affected in a higher deficit, I was more looking for some camaraderie with others who have a similar training style so we can whine to each other

 

[Dremy]

Just started myself so I can’t actually compare at the moment, but I would say if you’re in a calorie deficient than this will certainly affect your strength and endurance a bit. Doing a backyard Ultra tomorrow and will be interesting to see where it goes but as I said I only just started on 0.25 mg of Reta so don’t think this will affect me that much.

 

[octopusthorpe]

Just started myself so I can’t actually compare at the moment, but I would say if you’re in a calorie deficient than this will certainly affect your strength and endurance a bit. Doing a backyard Ultra tomorrow and will be interesting to see where it goes but as I said I only just started on 0.25 mg of Reta so don’t think this will affect me that much.

The backyard ultra peeps always fascinate me. The reason my hikes last so long is the changing scenery and topography - so to see people running the same loop for 30 miles or longer I realize just how much determination and mental toughness is required. I have an ultra-runner friend of mine who did a 100 mile backyard ultra last year which had me questioning his sanity.

You'll have to let me know how it goes!

 

[birdwhacker]

Just be careful and load up on carbs the day before and morning of. Don't want to run out of gas in the middle of it and have to putter back to the station with a tummy full of whey and water!

 

[octopusthorpe]

Just be careful and load up on carbs the day before and morning of. Don't want to run out of gas in the middle of it and have to putter back to the station with a tummy full of whey and water!

I've actually been on a low carb diet for my epilepsy for over a decade - my body has become very efficient at running on ketones and fat for fuel. I actually found my stamina for hiking increased once I was fully fat adapted. I know a lot of people around here say you need carbs for reta to work, but that hasn't been my experience. My all-time hiking PR of 45 miles was actually done in a fasted state. Like I said, this appears to be more of a daily caloric intake and fueling issue than a reta issue

 

[gimmeshelter]

Cyclist in trying to think about how to fuel the longer rides. Did 25 today so that is meaningless. My thought it is have a few jells hr before ride since absorption is slower. Pre hike fueling may be similar to pre ride fueling. Get ahead of it. Jells , honey etc.

 

[Fusoya]

I just want to jump in quickly since I’m new to Reta and consider myself a long distance runner.

I run six days a week and the past six months I was averaging 50-60 miles per week. Longer runs typically on Saturdays.

Been dealing with some leg issues the past couple months so my mileage had dipped.

Since getting on Reta I have had some concerning issues with my RHR feeling a bit higher than I like and making me anxious but my body seems to be adjusting and it’s not so bad.

Definitely struggle to stay in zone 2 during my runs but it’s also not spiking as much as it was when I first started Reta a month ago. Haven’t done more than 12 miles in a single run since starting - hoping to knock out 16 miles maybe this weekend if I have the energy for it.

Currently dosing 2mg once a week (well technically every 6 days because I wanted to dose on Monday and now got there).

Considering splitting the dose because I do notice effects leaving around day 5 but doing more research.

Pretty pleased so far with my experience.

 

[diplomat]

I almost ran a half-marathon yesterday....

 

[octopusthorpe]

I just want to jump in quickly since I’m new to Reta and consider myself a long distance runner.

I run six days a week and the past six months I was averaging 50-60 miles per week. Longer runs typically on Saturdays.

Been dealing with some leg issues the past couple months so my mileage had dipped.

Since getting on Reta I have had some concerning issues with my RHR feeling a bit higher than I like and making me anxious but my body seems to be adjusting and it’s not so bad.

Definitely struggle to stay in zone 2 during my runs but it’s also not spiking as much as it was when I first started Reta a month ago. Haven’t done more than 12 miles in a single run since starting - hoping to knock out 16 miles maybe this weekend if I have the energy for it.

Currently dosing 2mg once a week (well technically every 6 days because I wanted to dose on Monday and now got there).

Considering splitting the dose because I do notice effects leaving around day 5 but doing more research.

Pretty pleased so far with my experience.

That kinda tracks with my experience with double-digit mileage, though luckily my RHR has only gone up very slightly over the last 7 weeks on reta (1mg, split into two doses).

I'm typically in zone 2-3 for most of my hikes and up to zone 4-5 during elevation, and finding myself completely gassed at around 10 miles when I used to be able to churn out 25-30 miles before bonking.

Fortunately my lifts aren't too affected - I'm not hitting any PRs right now but I can still keep volume high.

Considering I'm now down 20lb and my BF% dropped to 16, the bonking on hikes could just be my body telling me to slow my roll and freaking fuel properly

 

[Cannonball72]

How is everyone’s Max HR, or do you not push up into upper thresholds?

I have noticed all the same HRV and RHR changes, but my maxHR also adjusted upward, proportionately to my RHR.

I do a lot of MTB which can be either LSS or HIIT in nature, depending on whether I do distance or V02 max rides.

 

[exxige]

I cant speak to Reta as I am on Tirz and have only done that but I only take 2.5 mg and have never taken anymore. I am just maintaining I have stayed at the same weight for like 6+ months. I do run 40+ and ride 100+ a week and lift 3 days. I have only noticed reduced HR and faster times etc. But I also fuel correctly and focus on it and hydration. Long runs are 70-90g an hour etc.