Benefits of a Running Coach

Have you ever wondered if you needed a running coach? Many runners feel they don't need a running
coach because they don't view themselves as "real" runners. Others may feel that they can get enough from online articles, posts, or training plans or from their fellow runners. Others may think running coaches are too expensive. While others feel they just don't have time.

First of all, if you are putting on running shoes and heading out for a run on a regular basis, please most definitely consider yourself a runner. Second, periodical and online articles are great and online plans are fine, but the one thing to keep in mind, is that these plan are written for the masses, not you. Third, like any service, prices will vary. Shop around and find a running coach that's within your budget that provides what you need. Fourth, most running coaches have a variety of ways to interact to meet your busy schedule.

So, what's the answer? Do you need a running coach? Well, no, a runner doesn't have to have a running coach, but having been one for over 13 years, I can share with you some of the awesome benefits you may not have thought of.

Below are some great reasons a running coach can help you with successful training:

1. Keeping Your Accountable: Knowing that someone has crafted a plan for you and will be checking in with you ups your accountability greatly. Many running coaches also incorporate group runs into their training which ups accountability as well as build relationships with other runners. 
2. Prevent Overtraining and Possible Injury: A common mistake of self-trained runners is overtraining. When a runner starts to make progress, they'll often get excited and begin to push themselves harder. Nothing wrong with pushing yourself, but a coach can help determine when too much of a push may be detrimental to your running mojo and/or your body. A running coach is a great first line of defense in preventing running injury. Runners are notorious for letting an ache or pain go too long before seeking treatment. I always encourage my runners to share with me when they are experiencing something beyond regular delayed onset muscle soreness, especially they if it's something they've had for more than a couple days and it's not getting better. I'm not a doctor or physical therapist, but I'm often that needed push to get a runner to seek professional medical help.
3. Keep Better Perspective and Prevent Self-Doubt: When training for any race, but particularly a distance race such as a half  or full marathon, self-doubt can creep in pulling a runner down. There's a saying that running is often 90% mental and 10% physical, and in many cases that is true. We can be our own worst enemy. A coach can help put things in perspective. If you 've had a bad run, a coach, can help you evaluate that run and determine if the lackluster performance was due to improper fueling or hydration, over training, poor sleep, stress, or some other factor.
4. A Real-Time/Catered-to-You Sounding Board: When I'm in a training cycle with runners, I get emails, messages, phone calls and in-person chats all the time regarding anything and everything about my runners' training. Instead of wondering if you're on the right track, you have someone well versed in your training as a sounding board in real-time.
5. Create a Plan for You and Your Goals Not the Masses: A running coach will craft a plan geared specifically for you. Factors such as your running history, your current running, the race you've selected, your personal goals, and more will all be taken into account when crafting your plan. Often runners will use the same plan year-after-year. Most runners don't stay the same, they may have made great gains or had a set-back from the previous year. A running coach will create a plan based on your current running.
6. Adjust Your Plan During Training: As a running coach, one of the first things I tell a runner when I meet with them to talk about their training and goals, is that the plan I create is fluid. What I mean by that is, it's not set in stone. Changes can and will be made along the way. Sometimes life gets in the way and a plan needs to be revised. Sometimes a runner will make great gains during training and training paces need to be made. A runner needs to have structure and guidance with a plan, but not feel that they are completely locked in.
7. Explain Your Workouts and Why You're Doing Them: Many online plans will have a variety of runs, but with very little explanation for why you're running these different types of runs. If a runner was not involved in track or cross-country in high school or college, they may not be familiar with some types of run workouts. Many runners will avoid speed work because they think they need access to a track. A running coach will thoroughly explain everything in your plan. They'll also explain how workouts can be accomplished without access to a track. (None of my speed workouts need a track.)
8. Help Fit in Cross-Training to Support Your Running/Training: Many runners know that adding in cross-training can benefit their running, but don't know what to incorporate or how to incorporate it. While other runners are unaware of the benefits of incorporating other types of fitness. A running coach can help safely add in appropriate types and amounts of cross-training to your training regimen. 
9. Explain and Help Support You With Your Fueling and Hydration Needs: Just as important as the weekly runs, proper fueling and hydration is vital to successful training. A running coach can provide proper guidelines for fueling and hydration to support your runs.
10. Motivate and Inspire: A running coach is your biggest cheerleader. Ongoing motivation and encouragement can often be the difference in successful race training.

In the Greensboro, NC area and looking for a running coach, click here.

Alternative Fuel Sources

 Are you a runner for which fuel sources like gels, Gu's and chews, just don't seem to do the trick. Do prepackaged fuel sources give you stomach distress or maybe you just don't like the taste or texture? Then check out my tips for alternative fuel sources. Some might be right in your cupboard!

Ask the Coach: What's the Best Fuel?

As a running coach, one of the most asked questions I get (especially among my race trainees) is, "What's the best fuel, fat or carbs?"

I learned along time ago, that like politics, food can be a very emotional topic for people. So, I'm not here to say one fuel is bad and one fuel is good. I can share from personal experience and from the research which tends to be better for a runner. As an individual, you an decide what's best for you. And as always, consult with your physician and/or registered dietitian when making any dietary changes, especially if you have specific dietary needs or a physical condition dependent on a specific diet.

In my race training plans I provide my runners with basic fueling guidelines to support their pre-, during-, and post run fueling and refueling. These guidelines provide basic carbohydrate, protein, and fat recommendations based on my education from RRCA, ASCM, and NPTI. From my running coach's perspective, carbohydrates are a runners main source of fuel.

A lot of recent popular diet programs use a fat-for-fuel approach. A big draw to these programs is initial quick weight loss. Most of the fat-based diets severely restrict carb to as little as 10% while increasing fat up to 75% of calories. The bases for his shift is that this type of diet for the athlete will prevent bonking or crashing. This type of diet is supposed to provide a bigger reserve of energy sustaining activity for longer periods of time. Research has been done showing that ultra marathoners and Ironman triathletes who had a high fat diet of 70% fat and 10% carbs for 9-36 months burned fat at much greater rates during an 180-min run than those who followed a lower fat diet of 25% fat, 59% carbs. This outcome seems pretty good.

More research, however, shows that for sports where you need to kick it up a notch at times, a high-fat diet, isn't going to provide that umph you're looking for. Why? Well, as your body learns to burn fat more efficiently, it impairs your body's ability to burn carbohydrates. Your body uses fewer chemical reactions to convert carbs to energy. So, with a proper carb store and your body being able to quickly convert carbs to energy, you can get that boost you need to charge that hill, or pull out of a fatigue slump, or change gears  as you near that finish line. With conversion of fat to fuel, your body is more like, "Oh okay, you want to go faster. Wait, hang on. I'm working on it."

Idea Fitness Journal (April 2018) shares that in a review of 61 studies, the vast majority showed that diets relying on more calories from carbs than fats were optimal for athletic performance (Stellingwerff & Cox 2014). None of the studies showed that a carb-rich diet hurt performance. Most research shows that decreasing carbs in favor of fat isn't likely to get you to the finish line faster. (Burke et at. 2017; Havemann et al. 2006; Urban et al. 2017; Zinn et al. 2017).

Another thing to keep in mind if you desire to go to a high fat/low carb diet is that it takes weeks to adapt to. I do not recommend a runner who wants to try a high fat diet switch to it while at the same time starting a race training program. Start the transition several months prior to starting race training. Why? When switching to a high fat diet one can expect to experience fatigue, constipation, and mood swings none of which would be great to experience while starting up a race training plan.

Personally, I'm a proponent of eating a well balanced diet. I'm a strong believer in a good mix of complex carbs (including whole grains, fruits and veggies), healthy fats, and protein is key. Then when kicking in race training, I believe slightly increasing healthy complex carbohydrates is key in supporting your workouts.

Ask The Coach: Why Is a Cool Down Important After a Run?

"Why is a cool-down important after a run?" It's a question I'm often asked. Nobody seems to mind the warm-up, but when I say, "Ok, get your cool-down in?" I often hear moans and groans. Once you finish that last repeat, you're done, right? Well, technically you're done with the repeats, but not quite yet with the workout. 

A cool-down run aids the body in several ways, but here are three that I'm keen on.

1. Faster recovery
2. More effective results from your workout
3. Helps your body return to a state of rest 

Faster Recovery: The easy slow jog after your workout, continues to supply your muscles with oxygenated blood. This helps jump start the recovery process and also avoid sore muscles. Also, during intense speed workouts, the body produces lactic acid and other energy production waste products. The cool-down jog helps your body more quickly flush out these waste products also aiding in a quicker recovery.

More Effective Results: If you're body begins the recovery and rebuilding process quicker, then you're going to see better results from your workouts and quicker. You'll also be better prepared for you next run or workout instead of still feeling sluggish or sore from the previous workout.

Helps Your Body Return to State of Rest: Doing a cool-down jog after a speed workout allows your heart rate to come down slowly, allowing your body systems such as blood pressure to return to normal gradually. This also helps to avoid blood pooling in the legs after a hard workout. Ever felt dizzy after a speed workout? Improper hydration and/or fueling can be the culprit, but blood pooling in the legs is often the cause. A simple cool-down jog can help avoid this. That same cool-down jog can also let your body's cooling system wind down gradually. Have you ever finished a speed workout and as soon as you stopped, if feels like a faucet turned on in your body and suddenly your drenched in sweat? That's because during your workout, your body is working hard to keep you cool. When you land that last step of your speed workout, your body doesn't automatically shut down it's cooling plant. It's still going full force. A cool-down jog gives your brain time to realize that you are winding down and no longer need as much cooling-off support. As your heart rate comes down, that faucet will start to turn to the off position.

The more intense the workout, the more important the cool-down. Most experts recommend a 5- to 10-min cool-down. I usually tell my runners to do a half to a full mile for their cool-down. Remember, the cool down pace should be your easy run pace or slightly slower to be effective. If you're newer to speed workouts and you feel like you just have nothing left for a cool-down jog after your workout, try doing a 5- to 10-min cool-down walk.  Also, keep in mind that short-and-fast is hard and long-and-slow is hard. I've found it very beneficial to do a 5 to 10-min cool-down walk after a long run. It provides the same benefits as that cool-down jog after that speed workout.

Don't Give In to The Wall

If you're a distance runner, then you know what "hitting the wall" is all about. Usually it's around
mile 20 in a marathon. Most of the time it's due to improper fueling, hydration, or both. Sometimes, it's due to going out too fast too soon. And sometimes, it just happens with no explanation.

There are other walls we encounter that don't involve marathons. Walls we can't control. Right now, Covid-19 is a huge wall for everyone affecting our daily lives. For runners, it means no group runs, social distancing when we do run with others. For many, it's meant canceled races for which they've spent months training. Sickness and injury are similar walls out of our control.

Then there are self-imposed walls that keep us from achieving our goals. One of the biggest self-imposed walls is lack of confidence. We are often our own worst enemy. Something I often hear early on in marathon training is, "I can't run 26.2 miles." My response usually is, "You're right. Right at this moment, you can't run a marathon. But if you follow the training and take it one day at a time, and believe in yourself, you can run a marathon." We often look at the end result and get overwhelmed. A runner has months to prepare for those 26.2 miles. Will it be hard? Yes. Will it be challenging? Yes. Will there be bumps along the way? Yes. But you can do it.

For most individuals it's pretty common for self-doubt to creep in when they dip their toes into the unknown. The initial response for many is, "I Can't!" But here's the thing. You can. You have to just flick-it! Flick that self doubt to the curb! Don't give into the Wall. Easier said than done, right?

A big step in achieving this is clearing your mind of "Can't." Just remove it from your vocabulary. Next step is to be "Real." It's going to be hard. Marathon training is one of the hardest things you'll ever do. But it will also be one of the most rewarding and life-changing things you'll do! Training for a marathon causes you to dig deep and find a you that you may never even knew existed. Once you find this new you, you'll be amazed how much you pull on the new you in other areas of your life.

If you follow my Instagram or Facebook page, you're probably aware that I've been dealing with an Achilles and Hamstring issue in my right leg. Because of the stay-at-home order, I've been able to get more rest and focus on my running. I've been doing 5-6 miles with 7 being my longest run of recent. I've been dealing with these issues since the end of August, so this is major progress. 

On today's run, I felt good. My goal was 6 miles. During the 3rd mile, my brain kept telling me, "When you reach 4 miles, you can stop, rest and stretch." I quickly recognized this as a self-imposed WALL.  At mile 4, I said, "No!" and kept going. But my brain kicked in again at mile 5, telling me to stop, rest, and stretch. I did not SUCCUMB to the WALL! I did the full 6 miles. That may not sound like a big deal, but I needed to show my brain and my body, that 6 miles is good with no stopping, and it was. Clear your mind of Can't!

Another self-imposed wall is the "I'll do it later syndrome." For many, they'll grab the first excuse that pops up as a means of putting off what we know may be difficult. Whether, it's too cold, too hot, raining, work, family, whatever, don't let excuses be your wall. Yes, there will be times, when you can't get in a run, that's life. But, if you schedule your workouts and make them a part of your daily/weekly routine, then you're much less likely to shove them aside. Schedule your workouts into your calendar just like you would a meeting and treat them with the same importance. Consistency is huge and often the key to successful running.

Walls don't just occur in marathon training. They occur in beginning running, training for a 5K, 10K, Half marathon. They occur in our everyday non-running life with that new job, new friend, new baby, job loss, financial issues, and more. Running is often a metaphor for life and rules for how to best succeed in running can be applied to everyday life events too. Running is so much more than running.

The next few weeks may be scary. Most stay-at-home orders allow for daily outside exercise with proper social distancing. So, unless the orders in your area restrict you to staying completely at home, get out and get in the daily walk or run. Not only will you not succumb to the Wall, you'll relieve a lot of stress too. 

Trust. Believe. Conquer!

Benefits of Morning Running

Fellow runner and blogger (Runners Blueprint), David Dack contacted me about sharing a post on the benefits of morning running. Some good stuff here. Check it out!

The Morning Run

There’s a long list of good reasons for running first in the morning. You’ll kick off the day doing something healthy. You’ll have more energy throughout the day. You’ll be more consistent.

I could go on and on, but by now you should be familiar with some of the perks of catching a run when the rest of the world is still asleep.

Want to make your morning workouts work out for you?

Here are my best tips and practical steps to make the morning exercise part and parcel of your life.

Sound great? Let’s get started.

The Benefits Of Morning Workouts

Before we get into the strategies you need to make morning exercise a reality, let’s first look at some of the benefits you’ll enjoy by doing so.

• Increase productivity. Pounding the pavement first thing in the morning will help you feel uplifted and energized for the rest of the day. This, in turn, can do wonders for your productivity and the way you deal with everything else in your life.
• Be more consistent. Heading out for a run when the rest of the world is still asleep makes it more likely to stick to your routine since you got fewer things and obligations to worry about first thing in the morning — no more interference from a demanding job or making lunch for hungry kids.
• Good for weight loss. Are you looking to shed the pounds? Running in a fasted state may help. Research shows that not only working out before breakfast burns a lot of fat but it also revs up your metabolism for the rest of the day, resulting in a higher calorie burn, even at rest.
• Improve your mood. Running triggers the release of feel-good hormones, such as endorphins, which can enhance your mood and help kick the day off on a positive note. Running also lowers stress like nothing else, keeping it at bay for the remainder of the day.
• Less traffic. If you live in an urban area, this will come in handy. Braving the roads before everyone commutes to work means fresher air and less pollution during your run. Just remember to stay visible to oncoming vehicles.
• Faster races. Since the majority of race events take place in the morning, pounding the pavements at that time helps you simulate real race conditions, thus, makes it more likely for you to achieve peak performance on the big day.

Strategies:

Get Enough Sleep. Not only will you feel energized after a good night of sleep, you’ll also find it easier to get going when the alarm goes off.

Instead of binge-watching some stupid show or scrolling through Instagram before bed, avoid all electronics an hour before bed. Using such a device before going to bed negatively affects your sleep quality.

As a rule, shoot for at least eight to nine hours of non-interrupted sleep during the nighttime. Sure, there’s no such thing as the magical number that works for everyone, but that range is the recommended baseline for optimal sleep.

Prepare in Advance. Build the habit of preparing everything you need for your morning runs the night before. This helps you avoid the struggle of finding everything when you’re half asleep.

You don’t have to think about what gear to use when you’re half asleep, having all of your essentials ready to go makes it easier to be be out of the door running without having to waste precious time nervously looking around for your gear.

Trying to get ready for your morning workout within the short window you have means that you already have lost the battle. You’re more likely to forget something you need in the fog of waking up.

What will more likely happen is, you’ll roll back over and revert to your pillow instead of workout gear.

Things to prepare include: 

Your...

• Phone
• Music playlist
• Water bottle
• Pre-run snack
• Running clothes
• Running shoes
• Running buds
• Running socks

In other words, everything you need for your workout. This is what’s going to help you set your environment for success. The rest is just details.

Have A Hearty breakfast. Eating breakfast is a fantastic way to give you the energy boost you need, especially if you’re depleted of energy first thing in the morning.

That’s why I highly urge you to eat something light before you head out. A small bite will ensure that you have enough fuel in the tank to keep going, especially if you’re about to run for an extended period and/or are not used to exercising on an empty stomach.

Remember to plan out your pre-workout and healthy breakfast before going to bed. 

Some of my favorite options include:

• Banana
• Dried fruits
• Two hard-boiled eggs
• Toast and peanut butter
• An energy bar.

Stick To Your Schedule. Commit to a specific time of the week—typically a Sunday—and jot down when and how you plan to carry out your exercise routine.

Doing this makes you more likely that you don’t let life get in the way of your runs, and eventually help ingrain the exercise habit for life.

Once you decide on a schedule, cast in in-store and stick to it. Never deviate. Treat your sessions the same way you’d a work meeting or doctor’s appointment.

Make sure your workout routine is the priority—maybe as urgent as or more so than going to work in the morning or participating in family events — the more urgent, the better.

There you have it! 

The above guidelines are all you need to turn your running habit into a part of your morning routine. Now it’s up to you to put into action what you have just learned. The rest is just details, as the saying goes.

Please feel free to leave your comments and questions in the section below. I can’t wait to hear from you.

In the meantime, thank you for dropping by.

About the author:

David Dack

David Dack is an established fitness blogger and running expert. When he’s not training for his next marathon, he’s doing research and trying to help as many people as possible to share his fitness philosophy. Check his blog Runners Blueprint for more info.

Eating Does a Runner Good

Just read an article about how exercising before breakfast burns more fat. Article makes it sound like it's new news. Heard this for a long time. Problem is that people will just read the headlines and then start running on an empty stomach. It's true that when you run on an empty stomach, your body will use up any remaining glycogen (carb) stores and then begin to burning fat. Nothing wrong with that. However, what a runner has to ask himself/herself is...."What is my goal?"

If your main goal is weight loss, then great idea to get up early and go for that 3-5 mile run before breakfast and possibly burn more fat than if you had eaten first. But, if your goal is training for a half or full marathon, then your main focus should be on achieving a quality run. Running 10-20 miles on an empty stomach is not going to provide a quality run. When a runner comes to me to talk with me about a recent lackluster run, 90% of the time it boils down to improper fueling.

Yes, you can burn fat as a fuel source. When all the fat is gone, you can even burn protein (muscle), which is not good. But the thing to keep in mind is that the body's main fuel source and most efficient fuel source is glycogen (what carbs are turned into and stored as in the muscle). Fat can be an energy source, but it's not as efficient as glycogen.

Sometimes weight loss will happen when half marathon or full marathon training, but I don't encourage runners in the thinking that running long is going to cause weight loss. If you are training properly, your appetite will increase and as long as you're appropriately fueling based on your activity level, then you'll be fine. Most of the time, however, runners will over estimate their calorie burn and they'll eat a lot more than they need. My other concern with this article is there will be people who think.... "I'm going to run on an empty stomach and then I'm not going to refuel afterward either. That way I'll really get a good burn." Problem with that thinking is that when you drastically decrease your caloric intake and drastically increase your activity level, the brain will go into protective mode and actually latch on to and protect your body fat and burn muscle instead. Decreased muscle means less caloric burn, which can mean weight gain or a weight plateau. Not good.

So, long story not so short...if your goal is weight loss, then try running shorter distances before breakfast as a part of your weight loss goal, but if you're goal is a marathon....eat.

Article Link: https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/18/health/exercise-breakfast-fat-burn-wellness/index.html

Eat, Eat, What to Eat

Proper fueling is often a problem for runners. Whether it's a time issue, an allergy issue, or a gut issue, runners have to make the time to figure out what works best for them.

One of the most frequently asked questions I get as a running coach, is "What's the best thing for me to eat?" Problem is there is no "best food" for a runner to eat. There are however, some parameters that runners need to keep in mind when fueling for a run. From that point on, it's up to the runner to figure out (by trial and error) what works best for him/her. I always tell my runners that the training period for a race isn't just physical training, it's also mental and the nutritional training. Use those long runs to test out different foods to see what works best to meet your individual hydration and fueling needs.

Often, a runner will come to me exasperated because his/her runs have felt so fatigued and labored. Many times, after talking through various reasons that might be contributing to the lack-luster runs, improper fueling surfaces as the culprit.

Ongoing good daily nutrition is vital to a runner in training for an endurance race, such as a marathon. On a daily basis, runners need a healthy balance of carbohydrate, protein, and fat.

For a while now, carbohydrates have gotten a bad rap. The rising popularity of low- and no-carb diets has given the general public the impression that carbs are their enemy. Carbs are like anything: In excess they can be bad.

Your body needs carbohydrates to function properly. Carbs provide fuel for the body. They also help regulate the metabolism of protein and fat. If the body does not receive sufficient carbohydrates, it could begin breaking down protein for energy production. Protein can be used as fuel, but it’s not very efficient, and when protein is used as fuel, less is available for its main function—rebuilding and repair. The protein-sparing action of carbohydrates protects the body’s stores of protein.

More important, command central—your brain—needs carbohydrates for proper function. Through the digestion process, carbohydrates are converted to glucose. Glucose is the fuel on which the body functions. Unlike other muscles in the body, the brain can’t store glucose. Instead, it depends on a steady supply of glucose from the blood circulating through the body. Ever feel light-headed during an afternoon workout and then realize you skipped lunch? That light-headed feeling might be the result of low blood sugar, which means you’re low on that steady supply of glucose in the blood flowing to the brain. Not a good feeling. When you eat something, that light-headedness usually subsides.

There are “good carbs” and “bad carbs.” It’s the bad (simple) carbs that give the good (complex) carbs a bad rap. Unfortunately, simple carbs are prevalent in our diet. They are found in convenience foods such as cakes, cookies, crackers, breads, and so on. Foods such these are made with refined/processed grains, which are quickly digested and converted to fat in the body unless activity ensues soon after ingestion.

Complex carbs take longer to digest; therefore, the body has more time to use them as fuel. These include vegetables and whole grains. Complex carbs are also high in fiber, which has many benefits for the body.

Forty-five to 65 percent of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates. That’s about 225 to 325 grams of carbs per day. The USDA recommends a minimum of 130 grams of carbohydrates per day. To get a better idea of how that correlates to portion sizes, MyPlate.gov recommends that adults eat 2.5 cups of vegetables, two cups of fruit, and six ounces of grains every day. When working out intensely or training for a race, your carb intake should be closer to 65 percent. On days when you’re not working out or running, your carb intake should be closer to 45 percent.

When shopping for complex carbohydrate products such as bread or pasta, look for 100 percent whole grain or 100 percent whole wheat. If it’s unclear how much whole grain a food contains, check the nutrition label. Low fiber means more refined (or processed) grains. Also check to make sure the sugar content is low. Then check the ingredients list. The ingredients are listed in order of how much the product contains. “Whole grain” or “whole wheat” should be listed as the first ingredient. If you’re still not sure, buy products that have the highest fiber content per serving (at least three grams or more).

Products that contain 100 percent whole wheat will also contain more protein since the grains have not been refined. Try to find products offering at least eight grams of protein. Whole-grain foods also provide many important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E, iron, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus, just to name a few.

Avoid products made of “enriched flour” or “enriched bleached flour.” That means refined grains have been used. These grains have been stripped of most of their fiber, vitamins, and minerals. “Enriched” sounds good, but it really means that some of the vitamins and minerals have been added back to the flour. Fiber, however, can’t be added back to the flour.

As previously mentioned, raw or cooked vegetables are great sources of complex carbohydrates. Technically, fruits are a simple carbohydrate, but that doesn’t mean they are bad. Whole fruit is full of fiber and is nutrient dense, so while the body may digest it more quickly, whole fruit is a great source of both carbohydrates and fiber. Go light on fruit juice. Even if it’s 100 percent fruit juice, this very concentrated version of the fruit greatly increases the sugar content. Whole fruit (fresh or frozen) is a better choice. Dried fruits are also a great choice. Dairy products such as skim milk and cheese are more good sources of carbohydrates.

Protein is easily one of the most overused supplements. Supplement advertisements have the public believing that protein makes muscle bigger. This is very misleading. Protein doesn’t zoom to your muscles and magically make them grow bigger. Protein does, however, help rebuild and repair muscle fibers. After a hard workout, protein is a necessary ingredient in the muscle-rebuilding process, which makes muscles stronger. Protein is found in muscles, bone, blood, hormones, antibodies, and enzymes. Protein also helps regulate the body’s water balance and transport nutrients, supports brain function, and makes muscles contract. Protein also helps keep the body healthy by fighting off disease. Important for runners, protein helps produce stamina and energy, which can keep fatigue at bay.

Protein is definitely a key ingredient for a strong, healthy body, especially if you’re in training. Research has shown, however, that the body has a limit at which it stops using extra protein. Studies have found that the body maxes out at two grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. If you take more than that, your body voids it, unused, as waste. Only individuals such as bodybuilders doing heavy resistance training need that higher level of two grams per kilogram of body weight. Endurance runners need protein in the range of .8 to 1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight. Sedentary people need only .8 grams per kilogram of body weight.

An average male runner who weighs 175 pounds needs 64 to 119 grams of protein per day. That might still seem like a lot of protein to ingest during a day, but remember that one cup of tuna has almost 40 grams of protein. A cup of black bean soup contains about 12 grams of protein. It doesn't take long to get enough protein just by eating a healthy diet. Vegetarians may have to be a little more diligent in making sure they get the required daily amount of protein.

If you’re eating a well-balanced diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and healthy fats, then you’re probably getting everything that big canister of powdered protein has to offer. So why not go the natural route?

Below are some suggestions for different types of foods to try for before the run, during the run, and after the run. These are only suggestions and by no means is a comprehensive list. 

Before Your Run

90 minutes to 2 hours before running:

Eat 30 to 80 grams of carbs.

• Bagel with peanut or almond butter
• English muffin with peanut butter or almond butter and fruit preserves
• Waffle with peanut butter or almond butter
• Banana sandwich with peanut butter
• Graham crackers with peanut butter or almond butter
• Oatmeal with added nuts and fruit
• One egg on an English muffin
• Hard-boiled egg and toast with preserves
• Dry cereal and fruit (Add milk if dairy doesn’t bother you on the run.)
• Energy bar with sports drink
• Greek or traditional yogurt with fruit and/or granola
• Small container of yogurt and a banana slathered with peanut butter
• Yogurt fruit smoothie

Oatmeal with added dried fruit, walnuts, banana slices, and a dollop
of peanut butter mixed in to thicken up the oatmeal and lessen the "slime."

Toasted English muffins topped with peanut butter and then either
bananas and honey or preserves.

30 to 60 minutes before running:

Eat foods that are quickly and easily digested.

• Animal crackers or Teddy Grahams with water or sports drink
• Sports drink
• Energy bar (Eat bars that are low in fat/protein soon before running.)
• Energy gel
• Fruit (A medium orange is great; choose whole fruit over juice.)
• Small container of traditional yogurt with fruit and/or granola
• Handful of pretzels
• Peanut butter crackers (two or three)
• Fig bar

Greek yogurt (I like the pineapple) with added walnuts
and banana slices.

During Your Run

Typically during a long run, it's recommended that a runner ingest about 100 cals about every 45-60 minutes. The individual prepackaged gels, chews, beans, chomps, etc. each have around 100 calories. The chews and sport beans are great because they can be rationed out, but the entire contents of the chew or bean packet needs to be ingested within that 45-60 mins. Runners often make the mistake eating one packet over the course of the entire run (say like 15 miles). That means they're only getting an extra 100 calories in during that 15 mile run. Not going to be enough.

Keep energy stores topped off during long runs with the following:

• Energy gels, chews, beans
• Sports drink (drink water when washing down an energy gels, chews, or beans)
• Gummy bears or jelly beans
• Tootsie Rolls
• Pretzels
• Energy bars (low-fat, low-protein varieties)
• Fig bars
• Gingersnaps
• Rice Krispie treats
• Bagel

A few examples of pre-packaged "during-the-run" fuel. Remember,
other foods like pretzels, ginger snaps, and fig bars work
great too!

After Your Run

Refueling within 30 minutes after running is vital for providing your body with the energy required to begin rebuilding. Select foods that provide a four-to-one ratio of carbs to protein (about 40 to 80 grams of carbs and 10 to 20 grams of protein).

• Eight ounces skim or low-fat chocolate milk (Note: Alternative milk products such as soy, almond, etc. can be used, but check the label, many do not have the same ratio of carbs to protein as dairy milk. Some alternative milk products have versions with extra protein added that may be a better choice, but still read the label to be sure that what you're purchasing is what you want.)
• Peanut butter and jelly sandwich and skim milk
• Bagel with peanut butter, almond butter, or Nutella
• Whole-wheat crackers and peanut or almond butter
• Brown rice pudding and a banana
• Bowl of cereal and milk
• Turkey sandwich
• Hard-boiled egg, toast, and fruit or juice
• Peanut butter and banana sandwich
• Fruit and yogurt smoothie
• Fruit smoothie with protein powder
• Energy bar and sports drink
• Trail mix

Chocolate fruit smoothie with 1% chocolate milk, Greek yogurt,
and fresh fruit like strawberries and/or bananas, and ice. Frozen
fruit works great too and then you don't have to add ice!

The Beauty of a Good Run

I love it when my fall race trainees who are training in the summer have a mild temp/weather run day. They finally get to see their hard work is paying off.

You see here in North Carolina, the summers can be brutal for race training. We are blessed with high temperatures June-August. We are also blessed with high dew point.

I've preached (my pastor dad would be proud) the High Dew Point sermon over and over, but for most runners, they still internalize a poor run as a reflection of their effort or lack there of.

Dew point is the temperature at which water condensates. The body's first course of action for cooling itself is through the evaporation of sweat from the skin. But on high dew point days (70° and above) the sweat will not evaporate. It just stays on your body.

The body is an amazing thing and your brain is like a super computer. When one cooling system shuts down or is working poorly, it kicks in a backup system. In this case, the brain diverts oxygenated blood to the skin to help cool the body. That's a pretty awesome backup system...unless you are training for a marathon.

More oxygenated blood at the skin means less oxygenated blood at the muscle. This is why you feel like you're running through sludge and can't seem to make your paces no matter how hard you try on a high dew point day. And this is why runners beat themselves up. Their plan says to run at X pace. They don't make that pace, so in their minds it was a crappy run.

Temperature can be deceptive. You can have a milder temp day, but if the dew point is still high, your run is going to feel labored. If you try to push yourself to run harder on a high dew point day, you can actually run the risk of heat exhaustion as well as put your heart at risk from so much demand being put on it trying to cool you off and make you move.

So, like I tell my runners, on a high dew point day, you should run by feel. This means on a high dew point day, if you feel like you're giving the same exertion as on a day that you are making pace, but your watch says otherwise, you are still reaping the benefits as if you were making pace.

Research has been done comparing running at altitude to running in high dew point. Results are very similar, because in both scenarios, runners are running in oxygen deprived situations. The problem is, if a runner goes to Denver to train at altitude, that's really cool. Just running in hot/humid NC seems normal and instead of runners realizing they are getting the same benefits as running in Denver, they get down on themselves, often pushing themselves harder, making things even worse.

Then comes a day at the end of August, like my runners had yesterday, where in the early morning, the temp and dew point is low and they had awesome runs allowing themselves to see the progress they've actually made over the past two months.

Funny part is hearing them exclaim, "Wow! That was awesome!" "Wonder why that run was so great?" "I felt better, even though that was the longest run I've ever done!" I run so much better when it's cooler."

Some have realized it, but others haven't yet made the connection that yes, the great weather allowed them to see the fruits of their labor, but that it was all that hard "smart" labor on those oppressive run days that provided the foundation for the awesome run they just had, not the milder weather.

The RunnerDude mantra is "Trust. Believe. Conquer!" It is a catchy mantra, but it's the meaning behind it that's important. Trust in your training, believe in yourself, and you'll conquer your goals.

Tips for Staying Safe and Beating the Heat

Most of the country has been experiencing a tremendous heatwave. For the South this often means a double whammy because we have heat along with the high humidity and high dew point. Heat can really take a toll on a runner, especially for runners who are in training for their upcoming fall marathons. The only saving grace is knowing that in the fall, when the temperatures drop, they'll feel faster and stronger. 

But what's a runner to do in the mean time?

Well the first thing is ongoing good hydration. Be sure to drink throughout the day, the day before a long run. Be careful not to over hydrate and risk flushing out your electrolytes. Drinking moderate amounts of water throughout the day and eating something salty like pretzels works well or just ingesting one sports drink during the day before your long run along with the drinking water throughout the day will help prevent depleting those vital electrolytes. If you don't want the added calories, plop in an electrolyte tablet into one of your servings of water. If you are a coffee or tea drinker (and yes, soda too), you can drink those, but do not count them as a water source. Those drinks often work as a diuretic. So drink your tea, but also drink your water. A good self check to see if you are well hydrated is when you void (pee) check to see if it is translucent. If it's translucent you are pretty well hydrated. It can have  a little tint of color, but if it's dark in color or opaque (you can't see through it), then you are not well hydrated.

The morning of a long run (about 1.5 hrs before the run), be sure to get in at least 20oz of water. (Drinking it 1.5-2hrs prior to the run will give it time to pass through your body so you can void before the run.) Drink water throughout the run up until about 45-60 minutes. Then begin using sports drink in order to help replace vital electrolytes (mainly sodium and potassium) needed to ensure good hydration and keep muscle cramps at bay. If Gatorade or the like tend to give you stomach distress, try adding electrolyte tabs like NUUN to regular water. If you do this it will help to provide the essential electrolytes you need, but you'll then need to make sure you're getting your fuel (carbs) from another source such as gels, chomps, chews, or regular food like pretzels. 

Secondly, slow down. You will anyway, so you might as well not fight it. And no, you're not being a weenie when you slow down due to the heat. There's a physiological explanation. Even if you're running in mild temperatures (say around 60 degrees your core temp will begin to increase as your body "warms up." One way your body works to cool itself is to send more oxygenated blood into the tiny blood vessels of the skin (the capillaries). Well, as you already know, your body has a certain amount of blood, so when it sends more blood to one area of the body, that means it decreases the amount in other areas of the body. In this case, when more blood moves to the skin, less is available in the working muscles. Less blood in the working muscles means less oxygen getting to the mitochondria in the muscle tissue where it's used in the energy-making process. Not only does that mean less oxygenated blood getting to the muscle, it means less blood available to carry away the waste products of the energy production (i.e., lactate). This combination spells fatigue and you begin to slow down. 

The other day I ran when it was 70°F which in NC during the summer is chilly! LOL! So you think that would have been a great run, but it was terrible. Reason? The Dew Point was also 70°. Dew Point is the temperature at which water condensates on your skin. Normally when you sweat, the body cools itself when the sweat evaporates from your skin. When the Dew Point is high, however, the sweat will not evaporate. It just stays on your body. So you're body can't cool off. That's why some runs you're pretty dry while others, your really soggy. So, as mentioned above, when your  body can't cool itself through the evaporation process, it will divert oxygenated blood to the skin to cool you down. That means less oxygenated blood going to your muscles, explaining why you feel like a slug and why you're not meeting your training paces. When the dew point is high, forget your watch and paces and run by feel. 

In the those milder temps, not as much blood is diverted, so you don't really see much of a difference. But as the temp climbs and the dew point increases, your body works harder and harder to cool itself off, and less and less blood is sent to the muscle. It's like a salmon swimming upstream. No matter how hard you try to "pick-it-up" your body just begins to peter out. Use the chart below to set your expectations for a workout based on the Dew Point.

Beyond a crappy run, running while poorly hydrated can put a runner at high risk for some some pretty severe health issues. Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke are three heat-related illnesses that can effect runners.  Below is a description of each along with what to do for each condition.

SIGNS OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS

HEAT CRAMPS

Causes: Loss of electrolytes and accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles.
Conditions: Muscle cramps and/or spasms, heavy sweating, normal body temperature.

Treatment: Drink water and sports drink, slow down, massage affected area. 

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Causes: Intense exercise in a hot, humid condition and loss of electrolytes.

Conditions: Profuse sweating, possible drop in blood pressure (less than 90 systolic, the top number), normal or slightly elevated body temperature, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, decreased coordination, possible fainting.

Treatment: Rest in a cool place, drink water and sports drink, if blood pressure drops below 90 systolic, call EMS, avoid activity for at least 24 hours, refrain from running or exercising in the heat for at least one week. 

HEAT STROKE

This is a medical emergency!

Causes: Intense exercise in a hot, humid condition, older age, dehydration, obesity, wearing heavy clothing, running in the heat when you have an infection or fever, certain drugs such as amphetamines, diuretics, beta blockers, cardiovascular disease, poor acclimatization, high blood pressure.

Conditions: High body temperature (106 or higher), lack of sweating characterized by dry, red skin, altered consciousness.

Treatment: Call EMS! Rest in a cool place, remove clothing to expose skin to air, apply ice packs or cool water to groin, underarms, neck (stop if shivering). 

Some other tips to consider when running in the severe heat:

• Run with a buddy or group. Running with a buddy allows you to monitor each other on a run. You might not be able to recognize that you're suffering signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke because your judgment might be altered, but your running buddy can recognize the signs and start providing aid and/or seeking help.
• Don't let a buddy talk you out of providing aid or seeking help if you feel they are suffing from heat illness. Better to be safe than sorry.
• Run with a phone. I know many do not like running with a phone, but a phone may be what saves the life of runner. Getting medical help quickly can make a huge difference. Be sure you charge your phone before heading out on your run.
• Tell someone where you're running and then stick to that route. That way if you do encounter a problem and don't return in a timely manor, your friends/family will know where to look for you.
• Carry a hand held water bottle or wear a hydration belt or backpack for longer runs
• Stash water on your route for a long run. Have a backup plan if the water is gone when you get there. (i.e. carry a phone so you can call someone to either pick you up or bring you water). If you have a 20-miler and the water you stashed at mile 12 is gone, DO NOT try to run the rest of the run with no water!
• Carry some money with you. Put a few bills in a zippered baggy and pin it inside your shorts, stash it in a running belt or put it in a pocket of your handheld water bottle. Many times, I've gone into a convenient store dripping wet to by buy emergency water/Gatorade while on a run.
• Plan routes that take you by public water fountains.
• Become certified in Frist Aid. The American Red Cross provides classes in first aid and CPR.

Note: If you're looking for a running group in the Greensboro, NC area, RunnerDude's Fitness offers The RunnerDude Saturday Group Run every Saturday. This run is open to anyone (walkers too). For more information on the RunnerDude Saturday Group Run, go to https://runnerdudesfitness.com/group-runs. 

FYI: During May and June the run is put on hold for RunTheBoro. For info on RunTheBoro click here. 

Goals Keep You Accountable

Just started running and find it a little daunting or have you been running for a while and find yourself in a rut? In either case, setting a running goal might be just the thing. Sometimes that little push of a commitment is all you need to get you going. Personally, I've found that setting a yearly running goals, gives me the motivation I need to keep running year-round. Plus, it gives me something to look forward to and strive for.

When you set a goal for yourself, be it a 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, ultra, or whatever the distance, it gives you something tangible to aim for. Setting a goal, making-a-plan to achieve that goal, and monitoring your progress can help raise your self-confidence as you realize that you have the ability to achieve the goal.

Make sure you set a strong goal. Don't be wishy-washy. Goals like, "I'm going to run more this year" or "I'm going to train harder" really aren't very motivating and you'll quickly lose interest. However, committing to running your first 10K, half or full marathon and announcing it to the world...now that's a goal. Sometimes making your goal something that's a part of something even bigger like a charity fund-raiser can help strengthen your commitment even more.

Make your goal realistic but at the same time make it a little challenging by selecting something that's attainable, but a little beyond your comfort zone. A challenge like this will give you something to work toward as well as build and increase your strength and endurance. Be careful though not to make your goal so challenging that you'll become discouraged and quit.

Making a long-range plan will often help you avoid picking a goal that may be out of reach at-the-moment. For example, if you are a brand-new runner and you'd really like to run a marathon, make the marathon your long-range goal and make running a 5K, 10K, and/or half-marathon your short-term goal(s). This may take a little longer, but it will help ensure that you reach the long-term goal you desire so much. If you're a new runner, achieving these smaller milestones will help build your confidence as you see the progress being made working your way up the ladder.

Post your goal for all to see. Let your family, friends, and coworkers know about your goal. Knowing that others are award of your goal will make you more accountable. This positive pressure will help you get out there for a run on those days that you're not so motivated to do so. Try to recruit a buddy to join you in your challenge. Running with a buddy can be very enjoyable and you can help keep each other motivated.

Reward your efforts! Attach some kind of treat to your successful completion of your goal. You will have worked hard, so celebrate the fruits of your labor and then get to work setting your next goal.

I'd love to know about your running goals. Email them to me at runnerdudeblog@yahoo.com.

Hydration and Fueling Tips for Before, During, and After the Run

"Bad" runs can occur at any time with any runner. The causes can be everything from your head just not being in the game to lack of sleep. But, more often than naught, a bad run is the result of improper hydration and/or fueling. I've compiled a few basic hydration and fueling tips in the video below. Take a look. Hope there are a few good takeaways for you. Give them a try and see you have a better run.

RunnerDude's Hydration and Fueling Tips from Thad McLaurin on Vimeo.

Why Only 20?

One of the most frequently asked questions by my marathon trainers is, "Why is our longest run only
20 miles?" It's a valid question. When they trained for their half marathon, their longest run was 13 or 14 miles so most would assume they'd run 25, 26, or 27 in their marathon training. Like in many cases with non-running circumstances, the obvious, may not be the best scenario.

The Internet is a culprit in making most novice marathoners think they should run the full marathon distance prior to race day. You can find all kinds of plans online that may or may not go past 20 miles during training. Then, you'll also have runners read about how the Olympians train and they'll see their 26-mile long runs and think, well, "They do it, why shouldn't I?"

So let's back up a bit and think about the structure of a typical marathon training plan. Online, most full-marathon training plans are 16 weeks. I create 18-week plans for my runners. But given a typical 16-week plan, the typical novice marathoner comes into training with a long run of 8-10 miles. If you start week one of training at 9 miles and each week progress by one mile you'll be at 23 miles the weekend prior to race day. That's not providing any taper (which is typically the last three weeks of training). So, you'll still not get to your full marathon distance and you'll not provide any taper in which the body has time to rebuild and repair prior to race day.

Also, as a coach, I like to get the full picture of a runner before I start training with them. Ideally it's best if a runner come into training with a strong base of at least a total weekly mileage of 20-25 miles the 4 weeks before their training officially starts. Most don't have this. So, I need to make sure that when they start the ease into their training and don't do too much too soon.

The other factor is pace. Remember those Olympians doing their 26-mile long training runs? Yep, they do such runs, but those Olympians are only out there on those long runs for a faction of the time that a novice runner will be. While they may be out there 2.5 hours, a mere mortal runner may be out on their feet for 4-5 hours. Lets assume that the Olympian and novice runner have an equal stride count (yes that is possible). In a 2 hour run, the Olympian may have his/her feet hitting the ground around  21,600 times while the novice could be making as many as 43,200 foot landings covering the same distance. Doing that week after week can really take a toll on the body drastically increasing the chance of injury.

I know you're thinking, but Ultra runners run much longer. Yep, they do. However, their training is entirely different from that of a road marathoner. Ultra running often takes place on trails providing a much more forgiving running surface. Also, ultra running's focus is usually geared more around completion rather than time. Ultra running also involves typically some walking. Fueling, hydrating, pacing, it's all a different animal with an ultra runner. Ultra runners also rarely run the full distance prior to race day. Kind of hard to get in a 100-miler prior to race day. Usually ultra runners will run back-to-back long runs on two or more consecutive days. It's more about time on their feet.

With some of my more experienced runners, I've used back-to-back long runs. Usually the first "long run" will be a more moderate distance maybe up to 10 miles, and then the following day will be a more traditional marathon long run distance eventually going up to 20 miles.

It's not that I won't or haven't ever taken a runner past the 20-miler, it's just not my typical plan of action. With a more seasoned runner who is willing to dedicate themselves to a longer plan (about 25 weeks) I can take them safely closer to the marathon distance in training and still have time to incorporate dropback weeks for recovery and the taper weeks at the end of the plan.

Properly training marathon runners is all about taking them where they are currently at fitness-wise and running experience-wise and gradually building upon that to reach race day. Another question I'm often asked, especially by running buddies after they've compared training plans, is "Why does he have this distance, and I have that distance?" Or "Why do I have this workout and my buddy doesn't? A coach writes his plans based on the individual. Sometimes that creates a variance in plans. That's a good thing. Doesn't mean one is weaker or stronger, It means you're at different places or have different goals.

Research, as well as my on experience with training marathon runners, has shown me that runners entering training with a really strong base prior to training, having a starting long run around 10 miles (for which they are already acclimated to), then strategically building their long runs with the goal of getting them really acclimated to the 18-20 mile distance by taper time will lead them into race day solid and strong. That extra 6.2 miles will not be a problem. They may feel those extra miles depending on how hard they're pushing it in the first 3/4 of the race, but they'll definitely be able to handle it. Bonking or hitting the wall, usually isn't related to not having trained those extra miles. Hitting the wall is usually a result of improper hydration and fueling during the race.

Gu or Not To Gu, That is the Question

For this round of race training, I have quite a few runners new to training for the half-marathon and
full-marathon distance. I love working with newbies to distance racing. They have so many questions and are so eager to learn.

One question that has surfaced over and over during this training cycle is, "What about GU? Should I be using sports gels? When should I use them?

Each of my runners gets a training packet that's several pages long and in that packet is information on and "rules of thumb" for pre-run fueling, during-the-run fueling, and post-run fueling. But like most of my race trainers, the sections of the packet that gets viewed the most are pages 1 and 2--the training schedule and the workout descriptions and their personal training paces. LOL!

I think another reason these questions keep surfacing is that they keep hearing other information from their running friends...."Well, I use this." "I take that." "I use Gu this many times during a run." "Oh, don't use that." "You don't need this." "You should do this."

And you know the problem isn't that these well-meaning runners are giving them bad information. The problem, is that they are giving these new distance runners solutions for what works for themselves. With so much and such diverse information, my new-to-distance runners become overwhelmed and not sure what to do. Also, as a new distance runner, and well, like most anybody, they want "the" definitive answer. There in lies the problem. There isn't one answer.

Remember, up in paragraph two of this post, I mentioned that in each runner's training packet, I provide them with "rules of thumb" for fueling? Well, that's really as specific as it can be. Rules-of-thumb, guidelines, a set of parameters. Each runner, then has to use the 14-18 weeks of training to figure out  (based on those parameters) what works best for them.

I had one runner that in the marathon race, she used a gel about every 10 minutes. I would not recommend that to anyone, because for most that would cause stomach distress. But for her, it worked. She determined that for herself through her training. Whether it was more of a mental security factor or a physical need, I'm not sure, but nonetheless, it worked for her.

So, unfortunately I can't tell my newbies, "Here do exactly this." But, what I can provide them with the following parameters.

During training, eat a well balanced diet of approximately 45-65% high quality complex carbohydrates, 20-35 % polyunsaturated fat/monounsaturated fat (and yes a little bit of saturated fat), and 10-35% protein (from lean meats and plant sources).

Your body can store about 2000 calories of glycogen (fuel) in the muscle. This is your primary source of fuel on the run. If on a regulare basis, you're eating a good balance of the macro-nutrients listed above (Carbs, Fats, Protein), then you should be keeping your glycogen stores in good check.

Sports Gels, chomps, blocks, chews, etc. are designed to help you keep from completely depleting your glycogen stores during longer runs. If you're running an hour or less, you really don't need sports gels and the like. If you're running 1.5 hours or more, then it's a good idea to start supplementing with an additional fuel source.

Most fueling supplement companies suggest taking their product every 45-60 mins, but again that's just a recommendation. I personally take one about every 5 miles, but again, that's what works for me. The true key is listening to your body and getting into a routine of taking such supplements in a regimen that provides you with fuel before you feel like you need it. If you wait until you are fatiguing to take something, then more than likely it won't get into your system in time for it to really do you any good.

The other thing to keep in mind is that gels, chomps, chews, bars, etc. are not the end-all source of fuel. I began running marathons back in 1997. Back then then only fuel I know of that was available (at least where I was in NC) was PowerBar. It basically was a nasty leather bar that you chewed on and chewed on and chewed on. I think I'm still chewing on the first bar I took back in 1997. LOL! Not too long afterward, PowerBar started making PowerGel. But before that, about the only thing available was Gatorade for fuel.

Somehow runners prior to the 2000s were able to run distance without these handy little packets. That's the key word....Handy. Usually a serving of fuel is about 100 calories, These products are convenient, easy to carry, 100 calorie packets of fuel. It takes out the guess work. Simply open and eat.  However, you can use real food too and it be just as effective. Here again, you have to experiment with what works for you. I have one runner who eats dates on the run. Another eats an oatmeal cookie (kind of like a ginger snap). Another runner carries a little baggie of pretzels. And still another makes little pbj sandwiches for long runs. They all have around the same number of calories comprised mostly of simple carbs for quick and easy digestion.

Gatorade and similar sports drinks provide basically the same thing as sports gels. So when taking a sports gel or your homemade energy food source, it's best to wash it down with water not sports drink? Why? Well, since the both provide essentially the same thing, you're basically getting a double whammy of carbohydrates. For some this can cause stomach distress. So rather than risk that, wash down your energy foods with water and save the sports drink for a hydration stop when you're not taking a supplement.

So, again, many are probably still frustrated that I haven't provided "The definitive Fueling Solution," but you have some guidelines. Use your training time to experiment and discover what works for you. Each runner is unique and you have to discover your own tricks of the trade.

10 Tips to Prevent the Marathon Training Blues

Runners often get discouraged when training for a marathon. Their lack of performance and/or motivation can be due to numerous factors. In the video below, I share 10 tips for helping to prevent the marathon training blues. If you're currently experiencing the training blues, listen to the tips and see if any of the suggestions may be the cause of your discouragement with your training.
(Correction: In Tip#3, I state "the body sends blood to the muscle layer to help cool down the body." I meant to say, "the body sends blood to the skin layer to help cool down the body, causing less blood to get to the muscle layer, which makes you fatigue quicker."


10 Tips to Prevent the Marathon Training Blues from Thad McLaurin on Vimeo.

Five Ways to Stay Motivated During the Winter

(Guest Post by Joseph Havey and the Ninja Challenge)

It’s been a few weeks since New Year’s. The holidays are far behind us, and the summer is far ahead. If you feel like you’re in a “no-man’s-land” of motivation, you’re not alone.

Motivation to keep New Year’s resolutions often wanes after two weeks, and only eight percent of people actually accomplish their goals for the year, according to statistics. But there’s no reason you can’t be among those eight percent!

Listed below, are five ways that you can get back on track.

1. Surround yourself with the right crew:

You’re probably tired of the phrase “you’re the average of your five closest friends,” but it bears repeating because it’s so true. As science shows us, your friends have the largest impact on your actions, both negative and positive. Sometimes, they can impact your behavior more than your own spouse! We’re not telling you that you need to get rid of your “unmotivated” friends. Instead, try and find a new crew. Join a running club. Start a workout group at the office. Instead of meeting a friend for coffee, try meeting a friend for a walk. As the science shows, it’s much easier to make a positive change when everyone around you is doing the same thing. We all have at least one friend that is basically a “walking pep talk.” Get to know him or her better today.

2. Focus on the positive. Not the negative:

Have you ever tried to swear off “bad food” and quickly realized that chocolate, candy, chips and soda suddenly consumed your entire thought process? Or maybe, you threatened yourself with some type of punishment as a way to motivate yourself to workout (“If I don’t go for a run, I’m going to pay my friend $5…”) As it turns out, this doesn’t motivate people at all. In fact, it’s demotivating.

Miss a workout? Binge on chocolate cake? Skip an entire week of dieting and heading to the gym? Don’t worry about it. The worst thing you can do is fret over the mistakes you’ve already made. Instead, focus on the chance to make today better than yesterday. Think about how much fun you’ll have with your new running group. Think about how good you’ll feel after taking that workout class. Or about how yummy those roasted vegetables are going to taste! Focusing on the positive results of your goals is always more motivating that worrying about avoiding the negative consequences.

3. Reduce the size of your goals:

If you’re struggling with motivation, it may be because you haven’t seen much progress toward your goals. That could be a sign that your goal is either too big, too vague, or too complicated. We’re hardwired to avoid pain and uncertainty, so a vague goal is scary to our survival instincts.

Instead of focusing on trying to lose a large amount of weight or radically altering your diet, break it down. Write down every single step it will take to get to your goal, and complete one at a time. For example, if your goal is to “Start Running,” write out a plan that starts includes walking 30 minutes a day during lunch, finding a running group, buying running shoes, finding a local race (like the Ninja Challenge!), forming a weekly workout plan, etc. Make the steps super specific and knock them out one by one! Don’t worry about the end goal. Instead, focus on accomplishing each small step along the way.

4. Write everything down. Both before and after.

Many of us have our goals in mind, but few of us have them on a piece of paper. Believe it or not, putting your goals in ink is one of the fastest ways to boost motivation. But don’t stop there. According to research, you also should track your progress.

If you wrote out your goals last month, that’s great! You’re a step ahead. Now, it’s up to you to track your progress. You can do it daily, or even weekly, but you need to keep checking back to see how you did. Otherwise, you’re left with a vague and uncertain task, which we’ve already said is actually demotivating.

5. Treat failure as part of the process toward success.

The science surrounding failure is a little bit new, but it’s incredibly fascinating. Some of the most successful people in the world think about failure differently than most of us. In fact, instead of avoiding failure, they actually treat it as part of the process toward success. And science is finding that they are definitely onto something.

Successful businessmen -- ranging from Steve Jobs to Bill Gates -- have often bragged about having failed on their way to success. And as studies have shown, failure actually makes you more productive in the long run. It’s little wonder, then, why you shouldn’t fear failure. Instead, you should pursue it! Stop trying to have the perfect day, perfect workout, perfect diet, or perfect plan. Take joy in knowing that if you messed up, you’re actually closer to your success than before.

If you’re struggling with the motivation to keep your New Year’s resolutions, we hope the tips above can help. There’s nothing to be ashamed of if you fell off the wagon -- we all do sometimes.

To get back on track you should start small, write everything down, find some motivating friends, and expect to fail a few more times. This process repeats itself over and over, and before you know it, you’re well on your way to success! 

About the Ninja Challenge: The Ninja Challenge Obstacle 5K is designed to bring out your inner www.theninjachallenge.com.

ninja through obstacles that include climbing walls, throwing ninja stars, running on water, dodging ninjas, and more. This family-friendly event is held every year in Fuquay-Varina, and is locally-owned and supported. It’s perfect for first-time racers of all age ranges, and we often have competitors ranging from 8 to 80 years old. A portion of all proceeds benefit the Triangle Aquatic Center and the Triangle Red Cross to help promote drowning prevention and safety. The 2016 Ninja Challenge Obstacle 5K will be held in Raleigh, NC on May 21, 2016. To register, please visit www.theninjachallenge.com.

Complete the raffle below for a chance to win a free race entry to the Ninja Challenge, The raffle ends on Feb. 24th and the winner will be announced on the blog on Feb 25th.


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