Wise marathon preparation is a holistic endeavor. Sleep, recovery, cross-training, and most of all, nutrition, all play essential roles. Ask any experienced runner: the right foods, eaten in the right quantities and at the right times, can make all the difference when race day arrives. Here are ten nutrition tips any runner would be smart to follow:
1. Winners plan ahead.
Many marathoners wait until a week or two before the big event before thinking about their diet. But race nutrition is much more than five days of carb loading. Start thinking about what you’ll eat at least a couple months before the race. As you’ll see below, there’s a lot to do.
2. Stomachs need training too.
About eight weeks before your race, figure out which brands and types of sports nutrition products settle best in your stomach. The only way to determine this is to experiment. Simulate your race-day nutrition plan during your long workouts. Aim for 30-60 grams of carbohydrates, 24-48 oz. of water, and 400-800 mg sodium per hour.
3. Plan your final meal.
Within a month of the race you should have your race-day meal plan dialed in as well. General guidelines are 1-2 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight 1-2 hours before the race, OR 3-4 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight 3-4 hours before. Practice eating a variety of breakfast foods before your long runs to see how they digest. Avoid high fat foods because fat takes a long time to digest. Good options are bananas, toast, oatmeal, bagels, fruit, cereal, potatoes or rice.
4. Be good to your body during race week.
During taper week, the goal is to rest your body and full recover from all the hard work you’ve put in. Replenish with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds. Avoid processed foods. Shoot for 70% of your total calories from high carbohydrate foods.
5. Don’t worry about your weight.
Don’t be alarmed if you gain weight during taper week. For every gram of stored glycogen, the body stores three grams of water, which is used to help convert the stored carbs into energy once you begin racing. So drink plenty of water and relax.
6. Load up on nitrates.
Everyone knows about carbs, but few realize how important nitrates are to performance. Nitrates, found in plant foods like beets, argula and swiss chard, are converted into nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator that increases blood flow to the heart and working muscles. A good idea is to drink eight daily ounces of a performance juice like Beet Performer for seven days prior to your race, and another eight ounces the morning of the race.
7. Eat your pre-race dinner early.
Eat an early high-carbohydrate, low-fat meal to ensure that your body has enough time to fully digest and eliminate everything. Avoid foods that can trigger heartburn including spicy foods, high-fat foods deep-fried foods, highly acidic foods like tomatoes, chocolate or mint. Foods that are lower in fiber, like regular spaghetti, may help prevent diarrhea, intestinal cramping and bloating.
8. Don’t try anything new on race day.
The biggest rule of thumb for race-day nutrition is don’t try anything new. Eat the breakfast that you have perfected over the last month at the time that works best for you.
9. Fluids matter.
If you normally consume coffee in the mornings, then do so on race day. Hot tea or coffee often helps clear out your bowels before the gun goes off. Hydrate yourself with 1.5-2.5 cups of fluid 2-3 hours before the race. This will ensure you are fully hydrated and allow enough time to void excess fluid before the race starts.
10. Add carbs a half-hour before the gun.
To top off your energy stores, you might want to consume 15-30 grams of carbs within 30 minutes of the event start in the form of a gel, chews, or sports drink.
Following a thoughtful nutrition program will give you confidence once your race starts. So plan early, follow the plan, then get out there and enjoy your day. You’ve worked hard for it!
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TARA MARTINE, overall women’s winner of the 2014 Savannah (GA) Rock ‘N Roll Marathon, is a registered dietitian, licensed dietitian/nutritionist, and founder/owner of Whole Impact Nutrition. She specializes in wellness, sports, and plant-based nutrition.
Sweating your way to optimal health Giacomo Fasano highlights the benefits of detoxifying the body through running in new fitness book
I recently received the book Revolutionary Powercycles to review. As I am a track and field coach and recreational runner it was very fitting to my lifestyle. The fundamentals of fitness have been under our noses forever, but some aspects have not been diligently recognized. I also myself had to under go chemo last year (non cancerous) and used exercises as part of my therapy for both the mental and physical aspects. Although after reading this book I don't think that it is for everyone but there is a place for it with a lot of people. Sweat does help use release toxins in our bodies and I think we need to focus more on that with our treatment plans for a lot of illnesses. Please use the programs that the author suggests if you have a doctor to supervises especially if you are on any radiation therapy or chemotherapy drugs.
In the book “Revolutionary Powercycles,” Giacomo Fasano presents an 8-year self-study of his unique exercise regimen, Powercycle68, which combines 68 minutes of vigorous and slow-paced running to achieve the highest amount of sweat extraction.
Lead and other toxic metals present in sweat are cumulative toxicants that affect multiple bodily systems that can lead to many illnesses like cancer, tumors, depression, high blood pressure and premature aging. The World Health Organization says there is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe, and that lead can enter the body through environmental contamination or ingestion.
“The pragmatic approach to targeted lead removal in Powercycle68, known as progressive displacement, is like a reverse vitamin to our bodies,” Fasano said.
By following Giacomo’s fitness plan, readers currently undergoing cancer treatments can also improve their health through progressive displacement by lowering the levels of arsenic toxicity in their bodies caused by radiation or chemotherapy drugs while generating new, healthy cells in the brain, lungs and other organs.
“I am of the strong opinion that the calculated, systematic and consistent removal of lead and other bad toxins from the body can only begin to have mankind be taller and better than cancer and other ailments,” Fasano said.
The author Giacomo Fasano has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Johnson & Wales University and a law degree from Pace University School of Law. His passion for health and fitness is well into its fourth decade, having logged more than 14,000 miles of running throughout the last 10 years.
Thank you so much for giving me the honour to read your book Giacomo Fasano. It really reminded me and re- opened my eyes as a health professional and track coach about the benefits of sweat and exercise. Endorphins are a powerful drug. We all need to take exercise I bit more seriously.
Hey Runners! Introducing The HipZIPP
The HipZIPP was inspired by many failed run belts on the market. They don't fit all the essentials (Phone, ID, Gels, etc.). They aren't very well balanced, they bounce, and they're a nuisance to get anything out of them once you've put something inside them. So we went ahead and created something that worked, that innovated and revolutionized the market of run belts. We took everything bad about the countless run belts, eliminated it, and created something amazing and good. Though this did not happen over night. Countless prototypes, countless runs, jogs, walks, and even treadmill tests at the gym went into perfecting the HipZIPP. We wanted to create something that was fashionable enough to wear at the gym, but comfortable enough to wear on your morning runs. With 2 large zippered pockets and a tucked away mini pocket, this belt will fit your phone, gel packs, and your ID or credit card.
My Experience At The 5Km Foam Fest in Wasaga Beach
WASAGA BEACH, Ont. (08/01/2015) - Alicia Bell climbs over the walls of the foam box object at Foam Fest held in Wasaga Beach for the first time Saturday. Photo By: David Zammit
My Experience At The 5Km Foam Fest in Wasaga Beach
On August 1st I decided to drive up to Wasaga Beach with one of my clients to run the 5Km Foam fest that was happening on the beach. At first look it looked super cool. There were huge slides set up and all sorts of fun activities and awesome music playing. We checked in and quickly went to change in the changing rooms. Registration was a breeze and so was bag check. We were told our heat was to go at 12:30pm. It didn't start until about 12:40pm we were just standing at the start waiting for someone to give us instructions. We took our picture in the foam at the start. This was fun. They then came over and told us all to line up! 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 4, 3, 2, 1 and we were off. After the first 3 obstacles I was ahead of everyone in my heat. The obstacles were fun, foam filled and super unique. I actually was challenged in the sand and for some of the obstacles. I also quickly caught up to the walkers in the heat before me. Some of the obstacles like the rope climb or walk across the rope was a little loose but no big deal. For the most part I came to the obstacles and quickly went through. Overall the run was fun and slightly challenging.
Now for the bad. I was told by one woman that I shouldn't be racing because the race was for fun. Running fast and going through the obstacles is fun for me. I was timing myself and wanted to see what time I could achieve for 5km with obstacles in the sand. Thats my kind of fun! I was also a bit disappointed that they didn't have a chip time us and there were lots of opportunity to cheat on the course. Also when they finally posted the pictures they were for sale not to simply grab off the internet which I was disappointed about. Ah well.
The race was still very fun and I want to give David Zammit a free lance photographer a big shout out for capturing this awesome photo of me! Because now I have a great memory of the race thanks to him!
2015 Fitspirit Run - Toronto Recap - Train It Right
For the second year in a row I was an ambassador and Kinesiologist for FitSpirit. I got to travel all across the GTA and teach young elementary and high school girls about the benefits, importance and rewards of physical fitness. I also got to introduce them to running and strength training to get them in shape to run their first 5km or 10km. The race was at Downsview Park on a beautiful May day! There is nothing more rewarding than looking at girls who at first doubted their abilities complete their first race. I love making an impact and if I can encourage our youth in any way it would be through teaching them what I have done and how I got to where I am through fitness and sport.
The 2015 FitSpirit Toronto Run at Downsview Park in May was a huge success and gave over 3,000 teenage girls the opportunity to complete the challenge of a 5k or 10k run.
Check out the video and feel free to share the link in the spirit of sport and physical activity!
I hope that the short glimpse into the FitClub provides the inspiration to get us all moving.
Check Out All of The RBC Run For The Kids Ambassadors
Can you spot me? Im excited to be an Ambassador for the RBC Run For The Kids! Have you registered? There is a 5km, 7km, and 15km. I am running the 15km! Challenge yourself and raise awareness.
Women's Running Features Plus-Size Model Erica Schenk On Its Cover
"Women of all sizes deserve to be praised for good health and have a presence in the media," Schenk told the mag. "Some women believe that since they have curves they can’t run or shouldn’t run. Running is for everybody, anytime."
Way to go Erica! And congrats on landing the cover! What a great step for women and plus size active women! You are definitely Training It Right!
Proud to announce that I have been selected as a 2015 @rbcrun4thekids ambassador. Follow me as I raise awareness on my passion for running and youth mental health. Give them a follow and register for a 5km, 7km and 15km run! #toronto #rbc #rbcrun4thekids #running #ambassador
My Nike Women's 15km Toronto Experience - @nikewomen
I received an email early last week from Athletics Canada asking if I wanted an entry to the Nike Womens 15km. Obviously I said yes as this is an amazing event and I also knew that entries were limited. Did you know you actually get entered into a draw to run it. Not only did I get a VIP bracelet for the ferry over to the island but the bracelet gave me access to all sorts of things like access to the VIP tent, Nike escort to the start line, cocktails and lunch afterwards. They really rolled out the red carpet for us. This was especially great to be in the tent since the morning started of pretty cold and rainy.
I have never claimed to be a long distance runner. I am from a sprinting background. That means short distances and lots of rest in ideal training conditions. Im definitely not experienced running in long steady state races like a 15km. With that being said I ran a Red Bull Wings For Life event that I also ended up running 15km. The weather was much nicer. At the start line it literally started pouring. They had us in the gate by 9:15am the latest. Since I am obsessed with being punctual I as there by 9:05am. However the race didn't start until 9:30am. Ideally for me I would have preferred to stay warm much closer to the start. They had lots of brand ambassadors, master trainers and Olympians on hand that were introduced and spoke before the race. That was very motivating and inspiring. The rain actually stopped after the first few km's in. Thank goodness!
My goal was to run close to the time I ran for my previous 15km. 1 hour and 30 minutes. I finished in 1:32 minutes. Despite a bad knee and something major going on with my gluteus I was a happy camper. I played Spotify the whole way which kept me very motivated. I even saw my good friend Dj Nora Tones at the 8km mark and hopped in her booth to say hi for a few seconds. My fav part of the race was running down the Toronto Island runway where the planes take off. There were also lots of cool views of Toronto on the boardwalk for the last couple of kms. I really wanted to stop for a picture but I also promised myself I would run the whole way. I will have to go back on another day to enjoy the scenery (it was my first time on the island.
One of the most motivating things about the Nike Women's 15km Toronto experience was that another thing that kept me motivated to finish was that there was a TIFFANY's NECKLACE waiting at the finish line for each and every finisher. Now if that isn't motivating for someone who dislikes long distance running (take a look at the shirt I wore) I don't know what is!!!
Another mistake I made was that I wore my number on my back (its what we do as sprinters). This was a bad idea because all of the race photography was sorted by number. So I had to email www.gamefacemedia.com who were so kind and helpful. They helped me that same day find my pictures from the event! So a huge thank you to the kind gentleman who took the time to help me.
Overall I give the event an 8/10. I wish I could have gotten to the start gate a little later than the required us there so I could have stayed warmer in the rain. Other than that I highly recommend this race. It was fun, inspiring and an over all great experience. I am better for it. #betterforit
The U.K.’s ‘This Girl Can’ PSA shows how real women look when they exercise—and that it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
The U.K.’s ‘This Girl Can’ PSA - Must Watch - Train It Right
I love the message that this video sends! No matter your age, shape or size you can #trainitright Don't be ashamed. Be proud that you are being active and healthy! What are your thoughts?
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