GUEST POST: FUELING TIPS FROM RUNNING BUN
- By loramarie03
- 11 October, 2012
- 10 Comments
I have no idea how I first started talking to Ashley, but I am so happy that we have become friends! She is one of the funniest people I ever met and an awesome person. Get to know her over at Running Bun and cheer her on as she gets ready for the ING NYC Marathon!
after a #sweatpink event
Lora is going to be away in Jamaica this week, getting married <3
I am thrilled to be guest posting on her blog. We have become rather close in the past few months and I do not just consider her a friend but a running inspiration! My name is Ashley and I blog at RunningBun.com. I write about my life and how a big chunk of it revolves around running, exercise and healthy eating. The other portion discusses my love for burritos and drinking. It is definitely all about balance in my life.
Beginning the start of 2012, I made a lifestyle change and became a vegetarian. It was for moral and health reasons. Since then I have also spent a lot of my time training for marathons. I ran the New Jersey Marathon in May and I have been training for the NYC Marathon since mid-summer. I absolutely researched a significant amount when I switched my diet to be confident enough that I was getting the adequate nutrients with the high activity level. I wanted to share my diet and fueling that works well with my training!
In regard to protein, I make sure (try my hardest) to eat anywhere around 50g each day. I get my protein from soy as well as oats, nuts (mainly almonds), any nut butters, rice, hummus, seeds and beans.
I look at each meal as fuel for my body. It is important for me to eat as clean as I can because that is when I feel the best and perform the best. If I eat like shit, it will transfer to my activity level. I eat every 3-4 hours (and I am hungry each time). I snack on fruit with a nut butter, carrots and hummus, granola or fresh veggies. I do not fear carbohydrates! I embrace them and need them for performance! I love healthy carbs such quinoa, sweet potatoes, brown rice and other grains.
Just a few of my favorites:
- Oatmeal: Rolled Oats (Trader Joe’s has huge bags for $5), Ground flaxseed, chia seeds, almond/hazelnut butter
- Chobani Greek yogurt (I am not a Vegan), which has anywhere from 14-16g of protein in each cup, with fruit and granola
- Plant Fusion protein powder shakes
- Veggie Sushi
- Veggie Mexican Food – Brown Rice or quinoa with avocado, tomatoes, peppers, and salsa!
- Pasta with Marinara Sauce
- Kale Salad with Avocado, apricots, walnuts
- Ezekial sprouted grain wraps (or english muffins)
Fueling for races:
I used to use Gu, Gu Chomps, Shot Bloks or anything similar. I have tried them all. I started experimenting with real food during my runs in order to save my stomach from the sugar ache that happened during the NJ Marathon this past spring. I have had serious success with raisins, mainly Wild Harvest (eat a handful the same time you would have a gel) as well as Try Chips (dried fruit).
I recover from a long run or race by making a plant-based protein shake! My favorite is Plant Fusion! There are SO many different combinations to make. If I am feeling adventurous, I will look up some ideas on my favorite vegan/vegetarian healthy living blogs!
It may seem like a lot to focus on clean eating but when you enjoy the food (and are happy morally), it is easy. I have never felt healthier in my life and my recovery time after runs and workouts has decreased A LOT! That is very important to me when the next run or workout is coming up right around the corner!
I hope you enjoyed the post! I know most people are not vegetarian, but I think a plant-based diet (even some of the time) is very beneficial to someone with an active lifestyle (based on my personal experience and friends’ experiences). I love talking about my passion for my diet/lifestyle so if anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to ask (just remember I am not a registered dietician, I just eat what works best for me)!
I wanted to share my favorite blog for references, recipes, and intelligent vegan posts: No Meat Athlete!
Thanks for having me Lora.
Copyright © 2013
Thanks for the post! I'll have to check out your blog!
Thanks for reading!! I would love for you to check it out!
This is a great post! I love how you listed where you get your protein from as a vegetarian athlete. I am not vegetarian…but I also don't consume a lot of meat. I'm always looking for ways to increase my protein intake. Thanks for this!
Thanks for the reply! I originally wouldn't have known where to get it without other bloggers so I wanted to share my diet as well
Great tips RB!
Great post I too am a vegetarian runner and agree with your foods
I love Veggie Mexican food (make at least once a week) I love the combo of black beans and sweet potatoes mixed with spice 
Love that your guest posting because I already follow your blog
I haven't had to fuel during runs at all (no marathon training for me) but I think I will try the food route if I ever need to. I've also heard of some runners munching on a handful of almonds during there run.
I absolutely feel better with the real food, no stomach pains, no sugar headaches. I am going to try almonds – thanks for the tip!
I use raisins for mid run fuel as well. Much better than the sugary stuff. I've been trying to go meatless once or twice a week.
Great post! I find it inspirational because I'm trying to incorporate more vegetarian meals into my diet and I'm kinda worried about getting enough protein.