Post by marathondude on Oct 20, 2008 14:15:17 GMT -5
Eat to run... or run to eat?
Runners are notorious for their eating habits. Many shy away from red meat as it digests slowly compared to other foods. Fried items, pre-packaged meals and foods that are highly processed are not on the grocery list of many runners. The night before a race or long run tends to be a perfect occasion for pasta. Throughout the day we snack on bananas, apples and oranges to provide a hydrating calorie boost with added fiber. It may seem like we just eat to run, but sometimes we turn the tables and enjoy the fact that we run to eat.
My diet during the morning and afternoon is fairly standard as I tend to eat what I need to fuel my body for exercise sessions throughout the day. A glass of milk, banana and plenty of water gets me off to a good start before my morning run. Afterward, a smoothie comprised of milk, yogurt, frozen fruit juice cubes, bananas and other fruit rehydrates me and provides a great mix of carbohydrates and protein. I graze over the next few hours, often having a can of tuna, mixed vegetables, some more fruit and another glass of milk. This always keeps me strong for an afternoon run or weight session at the gym. My friends don’t understand how I can do this so often but it’s because I’m in “Eat to Run” mode.
The flipside is because of the calories burned during hours of weekly exercise runners can enjoy a buffet dinner, have a couple desserts or indulge in a big steak without many of the negative consequences and weight gains that afflict the sedentary population. Many of my running buddies enjoy getting together for Monday night “All You Can Eat Wings” at a local restaurant. My brother, Doug, a long distance runner, has a bowl of ice cream every night. While in college, one very particularly conscientious runner was scolding my friend, Jim Deni, who was eating a couple of donuts. Jim responded, “I’m running over 100 miles a week to get ready for a marathon and I’ll eat donuts if I want!”
Pizza buffets were very popular with my collegiate cross country team at Appalachian State. I had a reputation as the team eating champion. One Saturday while the rest of the team warmed up for a duel meet against Wake Forest I was in the bathroom. I was proud of setting the team record by eating 26 pieces of pizza at lunch the day before but was paying the price. Fortunately I recovered and was able to place second in the race! Another funny memory was at the Appalachian State team picnic after my freshman track season. Steve Yanotti, a shot putter and discus thrower, and I got into an informal hot dog eating contest. Each “dog” had all of the trimmings. I finished off my ninth one while Steve ended up puking after his sixth – awesome!
So I am in that group of runners who spend much of our time ensuring that we have a sound nutritional program which allows us to run better. At the same time I enjoy knowing that I can deviate from my diet occasionally without much effect on my health and fitness. As a teenager and young adult I don’t know how many times I heard, “Whenever you stop running you are going to gain a lot of weight!” Could it be that I keep running because I’m afraid what they said was true? Maybe as much as I eat to run I am really running to eat!
MarathonDude has 35 years of competitive running and racing experience highlighted by a marathon PR of 2:22:34. He is a regular writer for Florida Running & Triathlon magazine. At www.garycohenrunning.com you will find over a dozen FR&T articles, interviews with running personalities such as Greg Meyer and John Tuttle and dozens of “All in a Day’s Run” essays like this one on a variety of topics including training, nutrition and racing.
Runners are notorious for their eating habits. Many shy away from red meat as it digests slowly compared to other foods. Fried items, pre-packaged meals and foods that are highly processed are not on the grocery list of many runners. The night before a race or long run tends to be a perfect occasion for pasta. Throughout the day we snack on bananas, apples and oranges to provide a hydrating calorie boost with added fiber. It may seem like we just eat to run, but sometimes we turn the tables and enjoy the fact that we run to eat.
My diet during the morning and afternoon is fairly standard as I tend to eat what I need to fuel my body for exercise sessions throughout the day. A glass of milk, banana and plenty of water gets me off to a good start before my morning run. Afterward, a smoothie comprised of milk, yogurt, frozen fruit juice cubes, bananas and other fruit rehydrates me and provides a great mix of carbohydrates and protein. I graze over the next few hours, often having a can of tuna, mixed vegetables, some more fruit and another glass of milk. This always keeps me strong for an afternoon run or weight session at the gym. My friends don’t understand how I can do this so often but it’s because I’m in “Eat to Run” mode.
The flipside is because of the calories burned during hours of weekly exercise runners can enjoy a buffet dinner, have a couple desserts or indulge in a big steak without many of the negative consequences and weight gains that afflict the sedentary population. Many of my running buddies enjoy getting together for Monday night “All You Can Eat Wings” at a local restaurant. My brother, Doug, a long distance runner, has a bowl of ice cream every night. While in college, one very particularly conscientious runner was scolding my friend, Jim Deni, who was eating a couple of donuts. Jim responded, “I’m running over 100 miles a week to get ready for a marathon and I’ll eat donuts if I want!”
Pizza buffets were very popular with my collegiate cross country team at Appalachian State. I had a reputation as the team eating champion. One Saturday while the rest of the team warmed up for a duel meet against Wake Forest I was in the bathroom. I was proud of setting the team record by eating 26 pieces of pizza at lunch the day before but was paying the price. Fortunately I recovered and was able to place second in the race! Another funny memory was at the Appalachian State team picnic after my freshman track season. Steve Yanotti, a shot putter and discus thrower, and I got into an informal hot dog eating contest. Each “dog” had all of the trimmings. I finished off my ninth one while Steve ended up puking after his sixth – awesome!
So I am in that group of runners who spend much of our time ensuring that we have a sound nutritional program which allows us to run better. At the same time I enjoy knowing that I can deviate from my diet occasionally without much effect on my health and fitness. As a teenager and young adult I don’t know how many times I heard, “Whenever you stop running you are going to gain a lot of weight!” Could it be that I keep running because I’m afraid what they said was true? Maybe as much as I eat to run I am really running to eat!
MarathonDude has 35 years of competitive running and racing experience highlighted by a marathon PR of 2:22:34. He is a regular writer for Florida Running & Triathlon magazine. At www.garycohenrunning.com you will find over a dozen FR&T articles, interviews with running personalities such as Greg Meyer and John Tuttle and dozens of “All in a Day’s Run” essays like this one on a variety of topics including training, nutrition and racing.