Dieter's Diary: Runner's Fuel
I've been running a lot lately...as in, on a treadmill, on purpose. As opposed to running for the train, or running from bears. What I have discovered is this: Running makes you tired. Shocking! Who knew?
I'm about three weeks into an eight-week training program for a half-marathon I hope to run (believe me, no one could be more surprised than I am about this). So far, I'm really enjoying the actual running part: just me and my iPod, huffing and puffing away. But I'm beginning to understand that I probably need to make some changes if I want to keep this up. I'm zonked.
So, I need more sleep, first of all. I also need to figure out what I should eat to fuel my running routine. If I'm running a few days a week in the morning, should I eat something particular the night before? If I do a longer run on Saturday or Sunday afternoon, what should I have for breakfast?
I've done a little research on the subject, and here's what I've found out so far:
1. Experts say that sports drinks are good fuel before you do a longer endurance run. But, blech. I hate that stuff. So I may need to figure something else out. Does limeade count?
2. Once I get to a point where I'm running more than 20 miles a week (right now I'm hovering around 18), I should aim to consume more carbs. Yeehaw!
3. I'm already eating a good runner's breakfast: Oatmeal made with milk, chopped almonds, and blueberries. Turns out that strapping on the old cereal feedbag is good for folks who run a lot. For a change on the weekends, I might try these oatmeal-fruit pancakes.
4. I don't need to overload on protein. I admit I didn't see that one coming. Protein is such a dieting buzzword I expected to hear that eating lots of steak would be the equivalent of attaching a jetpack to my running shoes.
Anybody else out there have advice for me? What's a good dinner for a person who's getting up at dark-thirty to go for a run?
For more from Epicurious's diet blogger, check out Dieter's Diary
By Siobhan Adcock
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