Doing my first half marathon and need nutrition advice.

roguex_1979
roguex_1979 Posts: 247 Member
in Food and Nutrition
In September I am hoping to complete my first half marathon, but I am worried, about a lot of thing (see my other post in the fitness and exercise board), but the main thing I am worried about is my calorie intake between now and then, and also the fact that I can't afford fresh meat and veg daily.

I work to live at the moment. I have no extra money at the end of the month for extra special things, and my food shopping has had to come down in price a lot, which means I purchase value brands, jars or prepared sauces, frozen meat and veg, and so I am worried that my body won't be able to cope with the calorie burn or have enough energy to even do the proper training.

One question I need answering now though is: should I up my calorie intake to maintenance and do training on top, or should I just keep it at 1300 and eat back my exercise calories as I usually do so I still lose weight in the mean time?

And how can I get the right nutrition on a budget?

Please help.

:smile:

Replies

  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    I'm American so I can't help you with stores or brands, but I think that you're on the right track with frozen meat and veggies. I eat quite a bit of both along with frozen fruit, dried pasta, canned pasta sauce, canned salmon and tuna, and the like. Just read the ingredients lists and make sure you're getting sufficient fat and protein. Eggs are an inexpensive and excellent source of fat and protein as is dairy. If you're running distance then you will need to be eating enough to support those efforts. A small deficit is fine and I'd just say watch your energy levels.
  • EdTheGinge
    EdTheGinge Posts: 1,616 Member
    Which half you doing ?

    Plenty of pasta in the week building upto it, keep away from spicy foods and all will be good. There's lots online to help, I'm currently looking for Marathon nutrition.
  • roguex_1979
    roguex_1979 Posts: 247 Member
    @EdTheGinge: Probably the first half before collapsing! Lol. No, it's just a 13.1 mile run, but I'm assuming you knew that. :laugh:
  • cbeutler
    cbeutler Posts: 667 Member
    You will be fine. I didn't go to maintenance. I use store brand jelly beans for fuel during the race and hopefully they have Gatorade or gu brew on the course.
  • maddymama
    maddymama Posts: 1,183 Member
    I did a half in the spring. I ate as I would normally do for most of the week. For my one long run of the week, I would eat more that day or the day after depending upon my appetite. But that was only for 4 or so runs that I did above 8 miles. The cost of eating more was negligible.


    I did, however, buy the Emergen-C's company Electro Mix powder packets (makes water into sports water) and would drink one the day before my long runs. It's also what I drank during the race. My stomach doesn't always like the sugar in sports drinks, but I was concerned about my electrolyte balance.
  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
    In September I am hoping to complete my first half marathon, but I am worried, about a lot of thing (see my other post in the fitness and exercise board), but the main thing I am worried about is my calorie intake between now and then, and also the fact that I can't afford fresh meat and veg daily.

    I work to live at the moment. I have no extra money at the end of the month for extra special things, and my food shopping has had to come down in price a lot, which means I purchase value brands, jars or prepared sauces, frozen meat and veg, and so I am worried that my body won't be able to cope with the calorie burn or have enough energy to even do the proper training.

    One question I need answering now though is: should I up my calorie intake to maintenance and do training on top, or should I just keep it at 1300 and eat back my exercise calories as I usually do so I still lose weight in the mean time?

    And how can I get the right nutrition on a budget?

    Please help.

    :smile:

    i just did my first half this past saturday. signed up in february for it and didn't do anything different in terms of nutrition until the week before the race then i just made sure i ate foods that would not upset my stomach and i did eat a bit more carbs (potato, pasta). i did start drinking powerade drinks (i mixed them with water because i don't really care for the taste) and the day of the race i had 2 gatorade gummies (one about 15 minutes before start and the other around mile 8). i've been doing strength training for a while now because i like to compete in the obstacle races.

    i'm not a big red meat fan so i rarely eat it. i prefer chicken thigh, pork and ground turkey. fyi instead of eating jarred sauces it's cheaper to make it (2 large cans crushed tomato - i buy store brand, garlic, onion, spinach, olive oil, basil, bay leaf, salt and pepper - if you like them mushrooms could be added i don't like them so i don't include them).
  • BEERRUNNER
    BEERRUNNER Posts: 3,046 Member
    Just carb up before your long runs. Not a problem!! I ran a 1/2 hungover a couple years ago.

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