Whether you are gunning for a PR, podium placement or toeing the line at your first IRONMAN or marathon, the one thing that links all athletes is the desire to be in the best shape while feeling good in our own skin. Because of our heavy training load, it’s crucial to follow a nutrition plan that matches activity level while supports health and performance. But this is where things get tricky and body composition can easily be confused for fitness.
[Read more…]The Female Athlete’s Guide to Fueling & Hydration for Optimal Performance – Part III: Recovery Fueling
Part III of The Female Athlete’s Guide to Fueling & Hydration. In this blog, we discuss the role of recovery, how to optimize and accelerate recovery, and the best options and strategies for female athletes.
Part II covers fueling/hydrating during training and racing.
The post workout/event recovery fuel is designed to speed up the repair of damaged muscle tissue, replace glycogen/energy stores, and promote physical adaptation. Immediately following a training session, muscle cells are open, insulin sensitivity elevated, and the body is primed to absorb simple sugar and protein, so the quicker you refuel, the better.
[Read more…]The Race Smart Kit Store is Open!
The Race Smart Kit is finally here. It’s been a long time coming but I’m super excited to partner with Base Performance. I’ve tried on each item that’s in the store – and it’s all super comfortable; fits like a glove. And, I’m picky!!
[Read more…]The Female Athlete’s Guide to Fueling & Hydration for Optimal Performance – Part II: During The Event or Training
Part II of The Female Athlete’s Guide to Fueling & Hydration. Part I covers Pre-Workout Fueling. Here, we address how a female athlete can best fuel and hydrate in a training/race environment to ward off GI distress and perform to their full potential.
There is a lot of confusion around what brands and types of fuel are best–and for a good reason. The market is flooded with a variety of sports nutrition products, and what works for one athlete won’t necessarily work for another. This is all the more reason to test drive the products for yourself. The end goal being that come race day your fuel plan is ironclad.
What a Woman Should Eat During…
[Read more…]The Female Athlete’s Guide to Fueling & Hydration for Optimal Performance. Part I: Pre-Workout Fueling
Imagine you are preparing for a long road trip. How often do you pack the car, check for missing essentials, hit the bathroom, and fill the gasoline tank with water before heading out of town? Never, I hope! Why, because cars don’t run on water. Automobiles use gasoline as fuel and depending on the vehicle, they require a specific octane rating for optimal performance. Similarly, an athlete, specifically a female athlete, should take the same approach to her fueling plan.
[Read more…]The Athlete’s Top 11 Tips for Holiday Eating
The holiday season is upon us, and while this is a fun and festive season, it can also be challenging to stay on track with healthy eating and training, which can lead to weight gain and loss of fitness. Read on for my top 11 tips for holiday eating for athletes.
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Protein for Endurance Athletes – Quantity, Timing, and Sources Explained
It’s true that endurance athletes require more protein than their sedentary counterparts. And while many athletes meet or exceed the recommended daily protein requirement, they may not be distributing their protein intake appropriately. Consuming too much protein can be as risky as not having enough. Excess protein increases the production of ammonia (as a waste product), which the body eliminates via urine and sweat. As a result, ridding the body of ammonia requires adequate hydration to process the waste. Alternatively, inadequate protein intake can negatively affect the formation of hormones and enzymes and hinder muscle recovery/repair post workout.
Ironman Bike Fueling 101 – All About Eating and Drinking During Ironman Bike Leg
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or new to the 140.6 scene, nailing your IRONMAN bike fueling/hydration plan can be tricky, with a lot riding on getting it right. With the numerous sports nutrition products on the market today, figuring out how to fuel for 5-7 hours can be daunting, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one athlete doesn’t necessarily work for another, and no matter how appealing it might sound, the “rolling buffet” approach—eating and drinking everything in sight along the race route—will do more harm than good.