Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!
This week’s topic is: Runner’s Nutrition
I should preface this post with the fact that I do not eat healthy most of the time. I love my carbs and my desserts (esp. ice cream).
That being said, here’s what me, the runner, eats :
- Pre-Race Meal (the night before) – Pizza or Pasta
I don’t like too much cheese or sauce. I prefer a thin crust.
Again, I don’t overdo on the sauce or the cheese.
- Pre-Race meal (the morning of) – Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat
Sometimes I make instant and sometimes I make the real stuff. My favorite flavor is maple or brown sugar cinnamon.
- Snacks before and after running – Protein Bars
If I run after work, I usually eat one of these before I run. On days off, when I run in the morning, I eat one after my run. My favorites are Balance bar (yogurt honey peanut) and Kind (vanilla blueberry). I also like Cliff bars (pumpkin & gingerbread).
- Fuel during long runs or long races – Energy Gels
I love salted caramel and peanut butter. Now there are 2 new ones – chocolate peanut butter & root beer!!
I usually take one GU before a race and every 4 miles during a long run or race. I have never had any stomach issues with GU,
- What I drink before run & during a race – H20
Just plain water…nothing added. And usually from the tap. I don’t like to carry water so I drink it before and after or loop back to my car. Races are perfect since they provide water.
- What I drink after a run or a race – Chocolate milk
Not fuel but refuel. For some reason, after a race, this is the only thing I can eat/drink right away. It doesn’t upset my stomach.
Non-running related Nutrition:
- Breakfast – Hot Cereal
I like this brand when I can find it.
- Lunch (I snack throughout the day at my desk) – Bagel, Yogurt, Cheese, Apple
- Dinner – Meat or Fish, Brown Rice & a Vegetable
- Evening Snack – Ice cream (what else?)
My downfall is eating in restaurants and at other people’s houses. I have NO WILL POWER!
Happy Running! What do you eat as a runner? Do you eat healthy?
My First 5K and More... 
Mm I love ice cream too! I can’t have it in the house otherwise it’s all gone in one sitting.
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I love sweets too. However, sugar is like poison to someone with MVP. Even worse are artificial sweeteners. I run SO much better if I lower my sugar intake. I found a low sugar chocolate milk that’s really good! I do still love sweets though. {Sigh}
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I try to avoid artificial sweeteners. But I really should reduce my sugar intake and increase the protein.
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I am not the best eater, but I do like pasta before a big race and chocolate milk afterwards!
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great minds…
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I am always drinking a ton of water before during and after run but I never drink chocolate milk. Maybe I should start.
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I love the Better Oats Oatmeal! They have so many yummy varieties and it’s super quick to make on busy mornings. I also love bananas, Lara bars, and Honey Stinger Waffles before a race. 🙂 I’m a plain water drinker as well. Sports drinks don’t sit well with my digestive system!
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Nice breakdown-I’d love all the photos so it was easy to read! I love pizza or pasta the night before too. And salted caramel Gu is from the running gods-SO good.
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Oatmeal that I mix peaches into is something I really love before a long run; I had gotten out of the habit of making it though; thanks for the reminder! I’m really into the Clif bars at the moment (I think I have three in my purse right now!). Thanks for linking up with us today!
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Its great that you have figured out what works for you! I also used to be big on pasta before a long run. Once I started eating paleo I switched to a baked or sweet potato, or spaghetti squash so I could still have meatballs. Like you I was never big on the cheese either! I will still occasionally eat pasta before a long run but I usually notice that I don’t feel as good.
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As paleo as I try to be most of the time, I still have pizza the night before a long run or race. Whatever works, right? Wicked sweet tooth here. I wish I didn’t have it.
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I totally love ice cream. I have a bit every night. It’s probably my favorite food 🙂
I start prepping for long runs/races two night before. I’ll do a lean protein, starch and veggie for dinner, something like a bagel for breakfast, a cheeseburger for lunch (I don’t know why, but it works), and a pasta for dinner. The morning of the race, I will have a banana (for shorter distances) or a bagel for longer.
This is a great rundown of your nutrition!
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