I was reading Run Less, Run Faster (again) on my subway ride downtown to teach class this morning when I came across this:
“Runners who train vigorously and assiduously are often not willing to be as disciplined with their eating habits. We are convinced that they fail to reach their running potential because they are not properly fueled for their training.“
Interesting.
I’ll admit, I somewhat fall into this category. Overall I’m a pretty healthy eater, but I also drink a glass of wine most nights of the week and could stand to eat fewer brownies.
As intensity heats up and mileage increases during marathon training fueling that gnawing hunger with healthy foods becomes a big challenge. So far during this training period I’ve gotten away with being a bit sloppy in my food planning and with cooking at home, but I’ve reached the turn around point where I realize that honing in on my eating will help me reap the rewards of all that hard work I’m doing while in my running shoes.
Also from Run Less, Run Faster:
“We have seen runners in our training studies improve dramatically with improved nutrition as much as with dedicated and smart training.”
How I’m Feeding My Runger:
- Adding Sun Warrior protein powder to my post-run smoothies.
- Pinning recipes that I will actually make.
- Spending time planning out meals, shopping for ingredients, then carving out time to cook.
- Filling my plate with a double servings of greens.
- Adding in sweet vegetables to dinner to help control my sweet tooth.
- Reducing vino intake.
What do you think? Is that first quote from the book accurate? Are you more disciplined when it comes to your eating habits or your training habits?
I sought out a dietitian and it was the best money I spent. She worked with athletes and knew the ins and outs. She helped everything from meal planning to specific nutrients and let me tailor it to suit me. I recommend it!
Really great plan my friend! I’ve found that during my first ever bout with marathon training, I’m naturally gravitating towards really FUELING foods, aiming for lots of protein (its what my body oddly craves MORE of lately), lots of veggies and fruit and carbs…but the carbs I’m only really wanting the night before a long run and sometimes the day of (or more likely) day AFTER a long run. SO interesting to really watch your body and listen to it during such an intense training cycle!
I learned the hard way that there are foods I just should not eat before (long) runs because my stomach will be really upset. I would need to read more about the topic though to make better foods. I guess I stick to my training schedule more but might change things up a little when I move out.
What I don`t do is drink alcohol, sodas and coffee (or only very, very rarely). But those are just free choices I make most days.
training! i hardly ever miss a workout, but i ‘cheat’ almost every day. i don’t drink alcohol at all and plan super healthy meals, but i have a horrible sweet tooth and tend to graze heavily at group events. i probably throw away 500 or so cals on cookies, ice cream, chips, or mango sticky rice.
I totally identify with that bit from Run Less Run Longer. I have pretty high standards for what I eat (try to be healthy, lots of veggies, vegetarian, no trans fats or hydrogenated oils, no fast food, minimal sweets, etc…), HOWEVER, I use my active lifestyle to justify GORGING myself each night at dinner and also have a beer or glass of wine with dinner most nights (justified by the fact that I drink water all day long). This is totally something I’ve been working on all year but am far from where I hope to be.
Also, like Diana mentioned, I also graze a lot at group events like picnics, BBQ’s, etc… I mean, it’s ridiculous. Just because I don’t eat meat or potato chips at said events doesn’t justify 15 handfuls of cocktail peanuts!!