Marathon Training Diet
Nutrition is an overlooked component of marathon training frequently. The right nutrition plan will make those long training runs seem much easier!
This article describes your day in and day out marathon training diet. Additional detailed topics such as race week nutrition, race day nutrition, what to eat just prior to training, what to eat immediately after training and what to eat pre-race are covered in these sport specific fueling pieces.
Your energy comes from the food you eat. All food is composed of proteins, fat, carbohydrates and fiber. Carbohydrates are tied to energy production, complete proteins are tied to tissue repair and building, fat providessupplies body fuel and fiber is roughage. Most foods will contain trace amounts of all these macronutrients, but each is normally rich in one. ALL are needed in your diet.
Carbohydrates for Marathon Training
Your body burns carbohydrates more efficiently than fat or protein. Think about increasing your carbohydrate intake to 60-70% of your daily food intake.
Runners gain the most from the amount of carbohydrates stored in the body. Carbohydrates generate more energy per unit of oxygen consumed than fats. What this means is that you get more energy for running when your body burns carbohydrates than you do while your body burns fat or protein. Since oxygen frequently is the restrictive factor in sustained duration events, your body will find it easier to use the energy source that requires the smallest amount of per kilocalorie of energy produced. (energy is calculated in kilocalories)
Your body generates energy by converting carbohydrates into glucose. When you are exercising at a average effort, carbohydrates supply 40 to 50 percent of your energy requirement. As you start running harder, carbohydrates give a bigger proportion of your energy requirements. It is difficult for your body to break down protein and fat into glucose to provide energy. Consequently your body first burns carbohydrates. The harder you work, the harder it becomes for your body to dedicate energy for breaking down protein and fat. That energy might be used to propel you forward in the race.
Best sources of carbohydrates for your marathon training
Carbohydrate requirements are usually based on the runner's body mass and activity level. Runners engaged in moderate-duration, low-intensity exercise require 5-7 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight. By contrast, those participating in long-duration and high-intensity events need 7-12 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight.
All carbohydrates are not created equal.
Best sources of carbohydrates in your diet
* Fruit, * vegetables, * brown rice, * enriched whole-grain breads, * whole grain cereals, * rolled oats, * beans, * legumes, and * sweet potatoes
(Note: Cheetos, cookies and tortilla chips are not on the list.)
Fat Needed in Your Marathon Diet
The next macro-nutrient required by the body during exercise is fat.
Fat is not the enemy. Fat created from an excess of cheetos is. (Remember that excess of any macro-nutrient - carbs, protein, fat - is turned into fat.) For moderate exercise, around half of the total energy expenditure is derived from free fatty acid metabolism. If the event lasts further than an hour, the body may utilize mostly fats for energy. Whether or not fat is used as fuel depends on the event's length and the runner's condition. Athletes in good condition use fat for energy more quickly than athletes in lesser condition. The long marathon training run helps athletes adapt to burning fat.
Best supplies of fat in your diet
* Nuts * Seeds * Nut butter * Fatty fish * Fish-oil supplements * Flaxseed oil * Safflower oil * Canola oil * Sunflower oil * Corn oil * Avocados * Egg yolks
After carbohydrates and fats, protein provides energy for the body. You also require protein to repair muscle tissue that is damaged during exercise. While exercise may increase an athlete's need for protein, {most|the majority of|for the most part|on the whole, Americans tend to eat more than the recommended amounts of protein.
A protein intake of 10 to 12 percent of total calories is sufficient. Most authorities recommend endurance athletes eat between 1.2-1.4 grams protein per kg of body weight for every day. Keep in mind, further protein is stored as fat.
It's doubtful you will need extra protein, what is probable is that you need to be more mindful of where you get your protein.
Women attempting to lose weight by cutting calories regularly forego healthy protein sources for bagels. Don't get me started on my "bagels are empty calories" rant; for now, all I'll say is protein-rich foods include lean pork and beef, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, tofu, and low-fat dairy products. Bring in lean sources of protein in your marathon training diet.
Best sources of protein in your diet
* Lean pork and beef * Poultry * Fish * Eggs * Low-fat dairy products * Broccoli * Beans * Corn
Fiber helps the body stay healthy and possibly will prevent heart disease. Getting an adequate amount of fiber may be easier than you believe.
Soluble fiber, which is found in oats, barley, beans, apples, oranges and other fruits and vegetables, possibly will help prevent heart disease by lowering LDL, or "bad" cholesterol levels. Set a goal to eat 20 to 35 grams of fiber every day. The best way to do this is to eat a varied list of whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, fruits and vegetables.
Fiber also keeps the bowels "regular". This is important to avoiding pain on your long training runs.
Best sources of fiber in your diet
Include more fiber in your eating plan by adding vegetables to stews and casseroles. Add oats to meatloaf, breads and cookies. Fruit on cereal, as a snack and in salads are other alternatives.
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