Fueling for Runners: Are Old Food Rules Tanking Your Training?
Am I the only one who still has flashbacks from the fat-free and low-carb eras?
Recently, I was putting together a Running Nutrition Strategy Guide for a client training for a 50K, and as I entered her calorie and macro recommendations, I had a moment. Because even though I know what it takes to fuel a body for endurance training, recommending that many carbs can still feel a little daunting.
That’s how deep those old food rules run.
The Biggest Fueling Mistake Endurance Runners Make
I have a friend named Matt who is an incredible ultra runner. And when I say ultra runner, I mean the long ultra distances — 200 and 250 miles. Over the years, I’ve heard him drop plenty of little nuggets of ultra wisdom, but one has stuck with me more than the rest:
“In ultras, the answer is almost always food.”
What Is a Good Carb? (Why Nutrition Basics Don’t Have to Be Confusing)
If you’re confused about carbs, protein, or what’s actually “healthy,” you’re not alone. Let’s break it down simply. A few weeks ago, I gave a nutrition clinic for a half marathon training group that I volunteer with. I look forward to this clinic every year—sharing practical nutrition strategies with people preparing to run 13.1 miles, many for the very first time. After the session, a few runners came up to ask questions, which is pretty typical. But this time, three differ