We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!
Eating for Training

sstroh2
Posts: 4 Member
Hello everyone! I am finishing my first week of training for the Rock the Parkway 1/2 marathon in April. Does anyone have anyone have any suggestions for diet during training, I am also trying to lose some weight, but the primary concern is fueling the workouts for the training. I know the common sense stuff, like avoiding soda and fast food, and eating lots of fruits and veggies, but the other stuff that I have found regarding diet has been really overwhelming. I'm not looking to go paleo or vegan or anything as drastic as all that, but I want to know if there is something I might be missing or not considering as I get further in training. Thanks for listening
0
Replies
-
You should check out Race Weight from Matt Fitzgerald...it all about losing weight and getting intp peak performance. Lots of really good information, and there is even a Race Weight Cookbook full of runner happy meals.0
-
SchweddyGirl wrote: »You should check out Race Weight from Matt Fitzgerald...it all about losing weight and getting intp peak performance. Lots of really good information, and there is even a Race Weight Cookbook full of runner happy meals.
I agree about Matt Fitzgerald's books. Also his book about Half Marathon and Marathon Nutrition.0 -
Matt Fitzgerald's books are good. I personally like Chris Carmichael's book, " Food for Fitness, Eat Right to Train Right." I thought it was an easier read. This book was printed in 2004-05, so it might be hard to find. If you can find it, I am sure you will find it beneficial. There are sample meal plans in it based on your training stage along with recipes.0
-
Here's an article whose advice I would not follow. It says better results for weight maintenance by running on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Maybe bodies in Belgium are different.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/23/ask-well-the-best-time-of-day-to-exercise/?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=Moth-Visible&module=inside-nyt-region®ion=inside-nyt-region&WT.nav=inside-nyt-region
0 -
Here's an article whose advice I would not follow. It says better results for weight maintenance by running on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Maybe bodies in Belgium are different.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/23/ask-well-the-best-time-of-day-to-exercise/?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=Moth-Visible&module=inside-nyt-region®ion=inside-nyt-region&WT.nav=inside-nyt-region
0 -
suetorrence wrote: »SchweddyGirl wrote: »You should check out Race Weight from Matt Fitzgerald...it all about losing weight and getting intp peak performance. Lots of really good information, and there is even a Race Weight Cookbook full of runner happy meals.
I agree about Matt Fitzgerald's books. Also his book about Half Marathon and Marathon Nutrition.
I also like Matt Fitzgerald's books. Diet Cults is pretty interesting too, although more of general interest vs. race nutrition (although it also contains ideas about how to eat well).0 -
Any suggestions of how to set macros?0
-
nicolejo143 wrote: »Any suggestions of how to set macros?
a good starting point is 40% carbs and 30% each of the others. I've noticed that 30% protein tends to be over 1g/lbm for me. which is good since I also lift
start there and adjust as needed. you might need more carbs than the 40% but its definitely a good starting point
0 -
lishie_rebooted wrote: »Here's an article whose advice I would not follow. It says better results for weight maintenance by running on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Maybe bodies in Belgium are different.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/23/ask-well-the-best-time-of-day-to-exercise/?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=Moth-Visible&module=inside-nyt-region®ion=inside-nyt-region&WT.nav=inside-nyt-region
Same here. I do 98% of my running in the early morning, completely fasted. This includes marathon training runs of up to 22 miles.
0 -
I have my macros set at 45% carbs, 30 Prot, 25% fat....then when I get into training for a marathon it bumps to 50/30/20. My body doesn't do well with higher fatty foods (give me runners trots...not fun, true story lol).0
-
CarsonRuns wrote: »lishie_rebooted wrote: »Here's an article whose advice I would not follow. It says better results for weight maintenance by running on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Maybe bodies in Belgium are different.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/23/ask-well-the-best-time-of-day-to-exercise/?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=Moth-Visible&module=inside-nyt-region®ion=inside-nyt-region&WT.nav=inside-nyt-region
Same here. I do 98% of my running in the early morning, completely fasted. This includes marathon training runs of up to 22 miles.
I hope to grow up to be just like you Carson! (no sarcasm lol)0 -
CarsonRuns wrote: »
Same here. I do 98% of my running in the early morning, completely fasted. This includes marathon training runs of up to 22 miles.
So I don't have your wealth of experience, but I do have some trial and error to draw from and whilst I can go and do a long run fasted no problems at all, I certainly cannot do that if I've spent the previous week eating to a deficit. If I try I will crash after 90-120 mins.
Are you able to go fasted under such a circumstance or do you alter the approach?
0 -
CarsonRuns wrote: »
Same here. I do 98% of my running in the early morning, completely fasted. This includes marathon training runs of up to 22 miles.
So I don't have your wealth of experience, but I do have some trial and error to draw from and whilst I can go and do a long run fasted no problems at all, I certainly cannot do that if I've spent the previous week eating to a deficit. If I try I will crash after 90-120 mins.
Are you able to go fasted under such a circumstance or do you alter the approach?
Due to the rungries that come on toward the end of marathon training, I'm at maintenance or above usually. During normal training cycles I can do 50+ miles weeks at a 400 calorie a day deficit.
0 -
CarsonRuns wrote: »lishie_rebooted wrote: »Here's an article whose advice I would not follow. It says better results for weight maintenance by running on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Maybe bodies in Belgium are different.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/23/ask-well-the-best-time-of-day-to-exercise/?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=Moth-Visible&module=inside-nyt-region®ion=inside-nyt-region&WT.nav=inside-nyt-region
Same here. I do 98% of my running in the early morning, completely fasted. This includes marathon training runs of up to 22 miles.
Third That. Empty Stomach Training early mornings.0 -
CarsonRuns wrote: »
Same here. I do 98% of my running in the early morning, completely fasted. This includes marathon training runs of up to 22 miles.
So I don't have your wealth of experience, but I do have some trial and error to draw from and whilst I can go and do a long run fasted no problems at all, I certainly cannot do that if I've spent the previous week eating to a deficit. If I try I will crash after 90-120 mins.
Are you able to go fasted under such a circumstance or do you alter the approach?
Can I ask -
How is your Carb intake the day before or a day before the day you "crash" at 90 - 120 mins (I'm assuming your weekly mileage is solid and you have good running background) ?
Eating @ deficit with compromise of Carbs will generally get that "crash" state. IMHO0 -
I also run in the mornings without eating, upto 20 miles. I do carb load the day before my long run spreading out the calories the day before and day after. Trying to eat back an additional 2000-3000 calories plus my 1500 from normal activity is difficult. Adding in 500-600 calories the night before generally gives me enough to get through the run. I'll eat and drink about 500 calories during the run, then eat back another 500-600 immediately following. That gets me to 60-70% of the run calories back with the remaining spread out over the rest of the day and next.
0 -
Can I ask -
How is your Carb intake the day before or a day before the day you "crash" at 90 - 120 mins (I'm assuming your weekly mileage is solid and you have good running background) ?
Eating @ deficit with compromise of Carbs will generally get that "crash" state. IMHO
Low, that's the point I am trying to draw out for the OP. Going out on a long run fasted, at the back end of a week of 5 other runs, whilst carb depleted is a different prospect than if you're well fuelled. I think it's important to make that distinction.0 -
Can I ask -
How is your Carb intake the day before or a day before the day you "crash" at 90 - 120 mins (I'm assuming your weekly mileage is solid and you have good running background) ?
Eating @ deficit with compromise of Carbs will generally get that "crash" state. IMHO
Low, that's the point I am trying to draw out for the OP. Going out on a long run fasted, at the back end of a week of 5 other runs, whilst carb depleted is a different prospect than if you're well fuelled. I think it's important to make that distinction.
+10 -
The goal of the long run is to train your body to burn fat as fuel over glycogen. Consuming carbs immediately before a run will limit your bodies ability to do that. There is a really good article on this. About 2/3's the way down there is a section on eating and running.
http://www.marathonguide.com/training/articles/mandbfuelonfat.cfm0 -
I only do half my long runs fasted, others I take in a lot of carbs to simulate race day intake.0
-
Carrieendar wrote: »I only do half my long runs fasted, others I take in a lot of carbs to simulate race day intake.
Same here. I run fasted/ carb depleted earlier in my training. As I near my race I start to ramp up my carbs and experiment with fueling.
0 -
I cannot run on an empty stomach. I have an English muffin and almond butter before my long run. My husband however can run on an empty stomach no problems. I have tried on an empty stomach and I felt slow, sluggish and got really light headed. I didn't like that feeling and hated that run. I have experimented with different types of things and that seem to work best for me. Maybe not by the book but it works for me.
Good luck!0 -
I love the Runner's World Cookbook! It's a beautiful book, for one, but has great recipes focusing on different things: pre-run, recovery, etc., and most importantly, it's real, tasty food that you'll actually want to eat.
So much of fueling is personal. I can usually run in the mornings on an empty stomach, but on race mornings, I do an English muffin with butter and jam. In general, I follow Michael Pollan's recommendation: Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.0 -
bump so I can read this later... im starting 1/2 training next week0
-
I love the Runner's World Cookbook! It's a beautiful book, for one, but has great recipes focusing on different things: pre-run, recovery, etc., and most importantly, it's real, tasty food that you'll actually want to eat.
So much of fueling is personal. I can usually run in the mornings on an empty stomach, but on race mornings, I do an English muffin with butter and jam. In general, I follow Michael Pollan's recommendation: Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.
I second this! Their cookbook is solid and super yummy. It is my go-to when I want to make something healthy to fuel my running.
0 -
Can I ask -
How is your Carb intake the day before or a day before the day you "crash" at 90 - 120 mins (I'm assuming your weekly mileage is solid and you have good running background) ?
Eating @ deficit with compromise of Carbs will generally get that "crash" state. IMHO
Low, that's the point I am trying to draw out for the OP. Going out on a long run fasted, at the back end of a week of 5 other runs, whilst carb depleted is a different prospect than if you're well fuelled. I think it's important to make that distinction.
Calorie deficit =/= carb depleted. You can eat at a 400 calorie a day deficit and still have plenty of carbs in your diet to replenish your glycogen stores.
0 -
I run probably 95% of the time in the morning without eating anything. For me its pretty simple. If Im hungry I will eat a banana or a protein bar 30 minutes or so before I run. If Im not hungry I go out without eating. This morning I ran 11.5 miles alternating between an easy pace and 10K pace without eating. After a run I always get some protein within a 1/2 hour. I try to keep it simple.0
-
Check out Eat to Perform on Facebook, they post some great links about this.0
-
CarsonRuns wrote: »lishie_rebooted wrote: »Here's an article whose advice I would not follow. It says better results for weight maintenance by running on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Maybe bodies in Belgium are different.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/23/ask-well-the-best-time-of-day-to-exercise/?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=Moth-Visible&module=inside-nyt-region®ion=inside-nyt-region&WT.nav=inside-nyt-region
Same here. I do 98% of my running in the early morning, completely fasted. This includes marathon training runs of up to 22 miles.
Third That. Empty Stomach Training early mornings.
Yep, when I run in the morning, I don't eat and do fine0 -
After a run, eat a high protein/carb meal? What do people typically eat? I had bagel, eggs, and turkey sausage. Oh, and milk.0
This discussion has been closed.