13/03/2022
Nutrition for Marathon Runners 🏃🏼♀️
With numerous half and full marathons coming up all over the UK I wanted to share some top tips for anyone needing a little extra advice.
My first tip is to take as much time & planning on fuelling your body efficiently for the miles ahead of you as your training. Never underestimate the power of nutrition 🏃🏼♀️
• Pre Run:
Carbohydrates are such an important nutrient for long distance runners, ensuring the diet is rich in high quality carbohydrates can help with performance. Recommendations pre-exercise are 6-10g/kg/day. See what works for you, if you cannot stomach a lot of food before a run or first thing in the morning, maybe have a carbohydrate rich dinner the night before and then a banana 30 minutes or so before you set off. If you are running in the evening try consuming carbohydrates throughout the day in your meals and snacks.
•During the run:
For a run less than 60-90 minutes there is no need to eat jelly babies or drink sport drinks but if you are running longer than this, consuming these types of carbs may help delay fatigue and maintain blood glucose concentration. It is important you trial these types of products in training runs too and don’t just take them on the big day!
• Post Run:
Carbohydrates and protein together has been shown to enhance recovery. Carbs to replenish the body’s glycogen stores and protein to repair muscle damage, something as simple as beans on toast is a great post run meal. Don’t worry if you don’t have an appetite straight away, research shows that you don’t have to consume protein in the ’30 minute’ window. Consuming protein (approx. 15-25g portion) with each meal & snack throughout the day increases muscle protein synthesis.
• Hydration:
This is so important and is very personal to each individual, play around and find a hydration strategy that works for you, just don’t underestimate how crucial this is before, during and after your run.
I appreciate this is top line, if you are wanting a personal nutrition strategy then I have some slots available in clinic! Just drop me a DM ☺️