I was not a very athletic kid growing up. So when I reached adulthood, I discovered the gym and running to make up for it. Then I went to the extreme and ran several marathons. I thought I was “really something special”.

Within about three weeks into my first training for a marathon, I learned a number of new things. One of the most important was that carbohydrate loading, as they used to call it, was the key to not getting fatigued. And complex carbohydrates were the type to eat frequently.

These healthy edibles are found in vegetables, nuts, seeds and grain. Some examples of foods high in starchy complex carbohydrates include bread, cereal, rice, pasta, potatoes, dry beans, carrots and corn. All grains contain complex carbohydrates, but whole grains — such as whole wheat pasta — are better for you as they are higher in fiber. One of the best sources of complex carbohydrates is dried beans. They don’t need to be combined with anything to give you complex carbohydrates. Dry beans do need to be combined with grains in order to provide vegetarians and vegans with all of the forms of protein needed for good health, and there is no need to combine these carbohydrates when dieting.

When 3 or more sugar molecules are linked together, they become up complex carbohydrates. Long chains of sugar molecules are called starches and they serve as the storage form of energy in plants. Branched complex carbohydrates called cellulose form the structural components that give plants their shape. Starches digest very easily, but your body doesn’t digest cellulose, which is a wonderful fiber product.

Grains and cereal products all contain complex carbohydrates. Whole grain products also contain fiber, while processed flours have had the bran and husks (thus most of the fiber) removed. Fiber is important for digestive health and can keep the tummy full for hours. Complex carbohydrates should be a major component of your diet; about half of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates - mostly from grains, cereals, fruits and vegetables. Simple carbohydrates should be used more sparingly.

Finishing a marathon has often been described as “zen at its highest form” , that is, when the body, mind and soul all meld. A few have described it as an “out of body experience”. I think an out of breath experience is more of what I had.

True zen happens when our soul is transformed. After eating properly, and getting in a few fasts, and running nonstop, one is bound to learn what zen really is.