Heading into an off-season? Should you adjust how you fuel your body? Read on for 7 nutrition tips to help you optimize your off-season -- so you come back stronger, healthier and more ready than ever to tackle a new training block/goal!
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Ever wonder why you feel hungrier on a rest or recovery day? More often than not, it has something to do with how you fueled before, during and after a hard workout or long run. Under-fueling – especially on long run or hard workout days – can lead to the feeling of being ravenous on rest or recovery days because your body is essentially catching up with itself.
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Are you looking for a snack that satisfies the runner hangries? You know what I'm talking about - that sudden urge to eat everything in sight and you must have it now before you snap your [insert friend, teammate, coworker, significant other or random stranger]. If it's been 3-4 hours and you haven't eaten something and have no plans for a meal in the near future, then follow my 3 tips for a snack that satisfies the hangry monster! ⠀
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Do you eat before you workout? Whether it's a long run, interval workout or easy day, you aren't getting the most out of it if you are exercising on empty. Over the next couple of blog posts I am going to cover how to fuel pre-workout for various types of workouts. Up first: the long run!
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Listening to your hunger is important. Being mindful about what and when you eat is also important. And both are things I work with clients on all the time. As runners and endurance athletes, we have different needs than the general public. Sometimes we need to eat when we aren't hungry to get the most out of our training. Let me say that again: it's OK - and often even necessary - to eat when you aren't hungry.
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On Monday (which consequently was also National Pumpkin Day) I posted some of my favorite pumpkin recipes to social media and asked which you’d most like me to share the recipe for. And here it is! These pumpkin muffins have been a go-to recipe for me so far this fall and make a great pre-workout snack or addition to my breakfast. To me they taste like fall. I hope you enjoy!
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A couple weeks ago I participated in my team’s (DWRunning) intra-squad track meet. I was excited to compete in the mile, 800 and 4x400 even though short distances have never and will never be my strength. Prior to the meet I had put in some mile-specific work and gotten out on the track far more than I have ever done before and I was really hoping to see an improvement—maybe even a PR. Well - if you follow me on social - you know that didn’t happen - and for a couple of reasons that upon reflecting on - make complete sense.
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One of the most common conundrums runners face is stomach – or gastrointestinal (GI) – distress mid run. It doesn’t happen to everyone – and is highly specific – but I have had way more complaints of inability to eat before, during or after a run due to an upset tummy or fear of having to use the bathroom mid run. Why does it happen? And is there anything you can do to combat it?
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We all need rest days. Some more than others. They help our bodies recover from the work we put in day after day as well as allow us to go harder, faster, and longer in the days following. But do we need to eat the same on a rest day as we do on a training day?
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It is darn right steamy in Chicagoland today (and by the looks of things for a while to come). I don’t know about you, but when the temps creep up, the last thing I want to do is spend a ton of time cooking or eat a steaming hot bowl of pasta. But we still need to eat! Here’s a quick dinner or lunch solution that’s packed with high quality protein, carbs and flavor.
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When the temps start to heat up, my mind always turns to hydration. It can literally make or break your work out. In fact, it can be a major contributing factor to a race day DNF or PR– whether it be from over- or under-hydrating. Making sure you are sufficiently hydrated will also get you to the finish line feeling good. Your goal? Start and finish adequately hydrated.
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It’s taken me a minute to reflect on my last marathon. I’ve gone pretty silent on social media and haven’t had the energy or time to really think about how the race went until today. I had a lot of doubts in my ability and wondered whether the goals I set for myself for this block were too far fetched. Would I ever be able to run the way I used to again?
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Today’s post is going to be a little more personal and less nutrition-y. But I think it’s relevant and may help those of you on both the nutrition and training front. If you follow me on social media, you know that this past Saturday I ran the F^3 half marathon here in Chicago. It’s truly one of my favorite races as you never know what you’ll get from the weather (I mean a half marathon in the middle of January in Chicago), the Chicago running community comes out in full force for it and it’s a great course - starting and ending at Soldier Field
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To talk about re-hydration following a workout, it’s also important to discuss what to do pre- and during your workout to stay adequately hydrated. One of the worst experiences I’ve ever had during a race (as well as many of the clients I work with) has been a consequence of being dehydrated. No matter how long your workout, you need adequate fluids before, during and after to prevent dehydration.
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Last week I introduced you to the 3 Rs of post-workout nutrition to help optimize recovery so you can get the most out of the work you put it. We focused on repairing and rebuilding muscle with protein - probably one of my favorite topics to write or talk about. This week we focus on the other macro-nutrient essential to recovering after a workout - carbohydrates.
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