What you eat during this week can help or break your half marathon. Well thinking back on my first half as well as everything I read it's really what you do the whole training time. For some that's over the last 16 weeks for me, that's only over the last 6 weeks as this Half is an impromptu sign up to push me through the Richmond Half in November.
Back in December of 2015 when I made the decision to run the Sentara Colonial Half Marathon in Williamsburg Va, I was already training for over a month. I was also on an active weight loss program. In which I was on a low carbohydrate , no sugar, no bs kinda lifestyle change or "diet." Can you imagine going into a half marathon with no carbs. Now that I think about it, even as a sprinter we had huge high carb/ high protein meals all the time. So what I was thinking is so lost to me!
Mannnnnnnnnnnnn... I recall weighing myself before and after the race, I suggest more people actually do this, I had lost over 10lbs after one run! I was shocked but not nearly as in shock as my body was. As most due after the race I had a banana, a bagel and a beer. My husband, my best friend, her family and I all headed to steakhouse in which i devoured all the steak and carbs I could get in my tummy. I still passed out the next morning. YES.. fainted right on my own kitchen floor! Scariest moment of my adult life. Laying there in front of my refrigerator just praying for the strength to open it! Guzzling orange juice, knowing that the sugar should pick me up but a little nervous as to what the acid was going to do to my GERD. Long story short this was the moment that I realized my body could do anything my mind could when properly fueled and when people say half marathon or marathons won't kill you they aren't lying. However, poor nutrition, now that can do you in like none other!
Back in December of 2015 when I made the decision to run the Sentara Colonial Half Marathon in Williamsburg Va, I was already training for over a month. I was also on an active weight loss program. In which I was on a low carbohydrate , no sugar, no bs kinda lifestyle change or "diet." Can you imagine going into a half marathon with no carbs. Now that I think about it, even as a sprinter we had huge high carb/ high protein meals all the time. So what I was thinking is so lost to me!
Mannnnnnnnnnnnn... I recall weighing myself before and after the race, I suggest more people actually do this, I had lost over 10lbs after one run! I was shocked but not nearly as in shock as my body was. As most due after the race I had a banana, a bagel and a beer. My husband, my best friend, her family and I all headed to steakhouse in which i devoured all the steak and carbs I could get in my tummy. I still passed out the next morning. YES.. fainted right on my own kitchen floor! Scariest moment of my adult life. Laying there in front of my refrigerator just praying for the strength to open it! Guzzling orange juice, knowing that the sugar should pick me up but a little nervous as to what the acid was going to do to my GERD. Long story short this was the moment that I realized my body could do anything my mind could when properly fueled and when people say half marathon or marathons won't kill you they aren't lying. However, poor nutrition, now that can do you in like none other!
So here's what I learned:
- EAT! Carbohydrates, protein and greens are all important for a balance diet and a fueled body! It's not that you can't lose weight and half marathon train, I did it. I don't regret it, I'm just thankful I didn't kill myself.
- My carbs of choice is : Wheat bread, sweet potatoes and jasmine rice.
- My protein is: beans. chicken and steak. I also take a prenatal pill everyday.
- Bananas; why because they help with soreness... 1 a day.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I'm a water drinker! I drink over half my body weight in the stuff.
- Coconut water is a great source of hydrating as well as putting electrolytes back in the body. I love a fresh coconut but can't get with the canned stuff.
- I like a Nuun tablet in my water prior to longer runs. Even a little Gatorade after is a nice quencher and an electrolyte booster.
- All this talk about electrolytes... let's talk SODIUM. "Well isn't salt just an electrolyte?" Electrolytes are way more than "just" salt/ sodium. Here's a great article about electrolytes and their functions: What Are Electrolytes… And Why Are They So Important?
- Now is not the time for new! No new meals, no new drinks, or fruits or anything for that matter. The week before your half or full marathon should be just another week of norms with additional rest for the test to come.
Prayerfully I didn't scare you, shoot I'm the one that passed out and I'm going back for more lol! So don't be scared, just educate yourself, know your body and EAT!!!!~
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