{Run Bobbi Run} Nutrition for Beginner Runners

This post was sponsored by LARABAR via Mode Media.

 
I loved all the responses I got from my ‘Running for Beginners’ post I did a few months back and I have been meaning to do more! I get a lot of questions about what to eat while training for a 5k, 10k, half marathon and a full marathon. Well, the answer is kind of simple–eat real food and listen to your body. OK, maybe it isn’t that simple, but it can be!

I love this section from Runningforbeginners.com:

If you are feeling lethargic or not running as well as you have been, then it might be that you are not getting enough energy and you should have a look at re-planning your 10K nutrition program.

So while calorie counting and eating a healthy diet will help you to continue to lose weight and tone your body, to ensure your 10K nutrition needs are met, you will need to adjust what you eat and how much you eat.

Chances are that you are already eating a healthy diet. This should consist of a good balance of energy-rich carbohydrates; protein for repair and re-growth of muscles and tissues; fats for energy and protection; and the fiber, vitamins and minerals that are so important for your immune system and good health.”

It’s about eating a BALANCE of complex carbs, healthy fats, and protein (just like we should do for our normal non-training diet, but we may need to increase our calories, especially if we are running more than 8 miles a day).  I would say for a 5k or 10k, having an additional snack or two a day, like a LARABAR would be a great way to keep your body nourished pre-run or even post. LARABARs give you clean energy to use for your run! I love that they are real food!! You don’t want to be ‘hangry’ on a run! Healthy SNACKS are key to any runner’s diet.  If you are training for a half marathon or full marathon, you may need to increase your meal portions, but still stick to whole foods.  I know it’s easy to want to have that cheat meal after a long run, but trust me, your body will love you for choosing clean eats over that entire pizza!

You should ensure you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as a selection of beans, lentils, rice, pasta, potatoes, fish, eggs and lean meats.  If you don’t eat a lot of meat, you will want to have a protein shake once a day to help with muscle recovery.  Also, hydration is so important just like with any training plan, but especially with running.  It will help you stay energized as well as help you to not cramp up, even on those non-running days.

So as you can see, it can be as easy as eating whole foods and listening to your body — you just need to DO it!  Listen to your body for true hunger cues and not just boredom.  Also listen to your hunger cues, and if you are craving something sweet, grab that LARABAR.  It will be the best way to curb that craving and stick to the plan!

Question: What is your biggest craving while training for a race?

“At LARABAR^®, we believe that the foundation of a sound mind, body and spirit is derived from what you eat – and what you eat is most delicious and satisfying when it’s in a whole, natural state.”