I’m rarely asked, “what should I be eating to fuel my runs and enhance my recovery.” As you train for a long race, nutrition is just as important as long runs, recovery and strength training.
Your diet is what will keep you healthy, energized, focused and in proper energy balance each and every day. The following article is only a 3 day meal plan, but what’s discussed is important considerations like how much energy will your body need for the day. Meals to cover 3 types of training days (long run, speed work & recovery) are reviewed.
Use these suggestions as a start. Test these types of food and see how you perform and how they make you feel (especially during and after your runs).
Healthy eating is essential to your success as an athlete. A few years ago, I discussed the importance of nutrition and hydration. I strongly recommend minimizing processed foods. Think food that comes out of a plastic wrapper. A diet that’s high in fresh fruits & vegetables will give you lots of energy, but you also need protein to aid in recovery.
There’s many books and articles on this subject. The following article is a good start to get you thinking of what you should eat.
https://www.active.com/running/articles/a-3-day-meal-plan-for-runners
