What I Eat

The title of this post is a bit misleading. I eat a whole lot of stuff, and there are some food items that I absolutely will not eat (peas, I'm looking at you). However, there are some things I eat and avoid eating when it comes to running. Most running websites and magazines have devoted hundreds of articles regarding what runners should eat for optimal performance. I tend to agree with a lot of the items but as much as I love a banana, I don't consider it the miracle drug that most runners do. Below is a list of the foods and beverages I can't live without for pre/post run.

Water - I was an H20 fan before running, but now I love it more than ever. Staying hydrated is essential to having productive, fun, and all around enjoyable runs! I try to get anywhere between 60-80 ounces a day.

Bread - This includes items closely related such as bagels and English muffins. I love it moist or toasted, whole wheat or white, breakfast, noon, and night. I am a big fan of carbs (never could understand that Atkins nonsense) so for me, bread is the mother ship. 95% of the time I stick to whole wheat but I have never passed up a fresh baguette! Plus, as a runner you get a chance to use up all that carb energy before it turns into glucose.

Chocolate Milk - I never really needed a reason to love chocolate milk. Despite my moderate intolerance for lactose, I have always loved a nice cold glass of the brown stuff. It brings me back to my childhood - I remember my dad making a glass for me and for himself as a treat. Now I know that chocolate milk is a great postrun snack! The calcium, protein, and carbs help your body recover faster and stronger. I mix up some syrup with 8 ounces of fat free organic milk after a long run. I especially like the choc milk option because I usually do not have an appetite after working out.

Pretzels - This is another item that I've always been a fan of. My mom always made sure we had pretzels in the house. I think part of it was pretzels were a healthier alternative to potato chips, plus she really loved some salty pretzels! I have inherited her love for salt as well as her surprisingly low blood pressure (YES!). Since I'm a very salty sweater (my dogs love licking my legs after a workout) this salty snack curbs my salt cravings. Plus they're low in fat, inexpensive, and travel well.

Peanut Butter - I have recently switched to natural peanut butter and although it took some getting used to, I am so glad I made the change. PB is a great source of protein but without the grease or preservatives that accompany a lot of meat.

Pasta - Although a huge pasta carb load before a race is a running urban legend, pasta still ranks among my favorite running meals. However, I never eat it with tomato sauce before running - the acid in the tomatoes gives me heartburn if I run.

Some foods that I avoid within an hour before running include:

Yogurt - Great any other item, but the dairy kills my belly during a run, and I end up with the trots :(

Meat/Eggs - I try to avoid meat and eggs right before lacing up and leaving. The protein makes me feel heavy and lethargic.

Fruit - Again, more GI problems.

All this food talk is making me hungry - time for dinner!

Run For Your Life

I just finished watching the film, Run For Your Life, about Fred Lebow, the creator and long-time director of the NYC Marathon. Not only is the film full of familiar running faces and interesting stories about the creation of the marathon and its many runners, it also tells Lebow's personal story of coming to America for a better life. Lebow's achievements in the running world are not measured by the money he made but by his passion for the sport and the success of the NYC Marathon. It is a wonderful story and it made me want to run the NY marathon!