A MARATHONER’S GUIDE TO FOOD AS FUEL!

by Andrea Medalie

Andrea Medalia at Food Station

As a runner who has been around the block a few times, I have often heard the phrase…”I want to start running to lose weight but I hate running!”  And that’s when I quickly reply, “then if you hate it, don’t do it!!!”  I say that because although runners, no matter the distance, seem to develop a love/hate relationship with the sport, at the end of the day, the love, passion and dedication are at the core of every successful runner.  It is indeed possible that this strenuous activity can grow on you, but if you haven’t caught the running bug at a certain point, chances are, you may never fully embrace the sport to the extent of seeing noticeable results and worse, you run the risk of resenting it altogether.

For full-blown runners, the hate sometimes  outweighs the love, despite the medals and the PRs, even to the point of wanting to throw in the towel, throw out the shoes.  But the bottom line is this…  runners NEED to run, not only for our weight, but our health as well as our sanity.  Once it’s in our blood, there’s no turning back!  As I like to put it, I run to eat. Likewise, I eat to run!  And what better way to fuel this well-oiled machine than with whole-foods, plant-based sources?  Can you relate??

Andrea Medalie On Trail

If you, too, uphold a plant-based paradigm and are a self-described runner, no matter the level, do you participate in races?  I often advise folks to sign up for a local 5k to start, test the waters, get a baseline.  Setting goals, reaching PR’s, meeting new people make the challenging and sometimes very lonely sport much more rewarding.  Which leads me to trail/ultra running.

Andrea’s Running Partner

I have just completed my second trail ultra 50k (3rd 50k in all), in the Everglades, and I have to say that my plant-based fuel saved the day, once again!!!  It seems fitting that all trail runners would be vegan, since we are one with nature, but surprisingly, that isn’t quite the case. However, I am pleased to say that in my experience, the ultra marathon aid stations are jam packed with vegan-friendly nourishment.  I strongly recommend giving it a whirl…you don’t even have to do an ultra (anything over a full marathon of 26.2).

Many of the races offer shorter distances like a 5k, half marathon or 25k.  Trail runs are typically run at a much slower pace, especially if the trail is a very technical one.  You can even walk/run them.  It is less to do with finishing time and more about the experience! I am one hot mess on a trail having never trained on them in hot, flat South Florida.  I am terrified of falling, which I have already done (it is a certainty). But if you have access to trails, you are already in a good position to prepare for a race event.

At the Everglades 50k this past Saturday,  we were blanketed with extreme heat/humidity right out of the gate.  I could feel my legs getting tired even just after a few miles due to the amount of work required to traverse across the jagged trails and the seemingly endless plains thick with sawgrass! Luckily, the aid stations were ample, the volunteers, very helpful.  I knew that if I didn’t continuously take in the food offered like oranges, bananas, boiled potatoes and carrots, peanuts, peanut butter pretzels, dried fruit, and other nutritional aids, I’d be a goner!

Energy snacks

There were times when I was so exhausted and nauseous but I managed to keep the fuel down.  At mile 12, despite my best efforts, I had a meltdown as the sun reared its ugly head.  I turned to Mark, my beloved running partner, and decided I was done…that my legs couldn’t last the duration.  I began to wail and hoped that a truck would come by just then and haul me away!  Mark would have none of that and encouraged me to carry on.

Rapid Energy Fuel
Andrea reports this is a whole food.

I did just that and gradually, with frequent hydration, combined with increased food intake, I rallied, not to a strong finish but good enough…heck, we finished (with a time of 7 hours and 18 minutes)!! I was pleased that we persevered despite my little episode, grateful for all the vegan-friendly fuel offered, knowing that I owed my extended endurance to that!

Unfortunately, the after parties at most of these trail races typically offer burgers, turkey burgers and hot dogs.  Pretty ironic considering much of the race food was plant-based. They may have veggie burgers too, like this one did, but they are cooked on the same grill, same utensils.  Still, any effort is better than no effort at all!  Personally, I will pass on that, especially as my stomach tries to settle from all the trauma.  I have no problem with the ample beer offered.  Perfect for recovery as long as you don’t over do it, which I tend to do! Cheers!

Until next time… gotta run!

Andrea VeGAL Medalie

Andrea earned an MS degree from The University of Florida and is a mom to 3 incredible sons. She works as an independent Speech and Language Pathologist within a diverse population in the Northwest Broward County, FL area. She LOVES to plan destination marathons (when budget allows) where she get to visit new cities and discover fab vegan/veg friendly restaurants/cafes/markets. Andrea has been a vegetarian for over 20 years, vegan for about 10. “It’s very exciting to see how society is beginning to truly embrace veganism for improved health, animal welfare and a greener environment!” she exalts. Andrea has developed a blog (book in the making) for vegan female endurance/hard core fitness athletes a.k.a.VeGAL (Vegan Girl AthLetes). Andrea’s territory is all of South Florida!  Contact Andrea to review your favorite veg-friendly restaurants within her territory.