Hi dear run fans,
As you are likely aware I RAN MY FIRST ULTRA MARATHON ON SATURDAY.
I may still be a bit excited......
Full blog on the race to follow soon. But due to popular request here's a wee blog on what I ate before, during and after the run. WARNING: Check with your Dr before embarking on this 'diet' and when they've laughed you out of the surgery, have a nice bowl of broccoli instead.
As you are likely aware I RAN MY FIRST ULTRA MARATHON ON SATURDAY.
I may still be a bit excited......
Full blog on the race to follow soon. But due to popular request here's a wee blog on what I ate before, during and after the run. WARNING: Check with your Dr before embarking on this 'diet' and when they've laughed you out of the surgery, have a nice bowl of broccoli instead.
So as you well know. I love a good carb load the day before a race. I'm not a fan of pasta so at lunchtime I headed to Nandos for a large amount of chicken, chips and the heavenly option REFILLABLE SOFT DRINKS. *angellic choir sings high on sugar*
Then it was time to take the train up to Aberdeen armed with a sandwich and snacks. Including, possibly, the greatest cookies ever created. White chocolate AND orange. Get them at Sainsbury's. I bought them by accident once. I've never looked back.
Race day loomed and breakfast was required. I've tried eating a hearty/light healthy breakfast in the past but get so nervous I struggle to swallow. When I did my first half marathon I panicked and ate the only thing that appealed......a donut......and it worked!
So it's become my lucky race day food. Usually a chocolate sprinkles one from Krispy Kreme (pictured above) Not sure this is for everyone. But hey, whatever you can stomach. Washed down with a nice cup of tea obviously.
Then it was time to take the train up to Aberdeen armed with a sandwich and snacks. Including, possibly, the greatest cookies ever created. White chocolate AND orange. Get them at Sainsbury's. I bought them by accident once. I've never looked back.
Race day loomed and breakfast was required. I've tried eating a hearty/light healthy breakfast in the past but get so nervous I struggle to swallow. When I did my first half marathon I panicked and ate the only thing that appealed......a donut......and it worked!
So it's become my lucky race day food. Usually a chocolate sprinkles one from Krispy Kreme (pictured above) Not sure this is for everyone. But hey, whatever you can stomach. Washed down with a nice cup of tea obviously.
To the race. You'll be relieved to know that I use proper race nutrition. High 5 are my suppliers of choice......because as a friend correctly described 'The raspberry ones taste like donut jam'
I took a gel or isogel every 4-5 miles with lots of water. The isogels are heavier but really easy to drink, like orange juice. I alternated caffeinated with plain ones for a boost every 8 miles or quarter of the race. At the halfway and 3 quarter points I also drank my usual lucozade sport.
I also broke the cardinal rule of running: DON'T TRY ANYTHING NEW ON RACE DAY
In this case I ate everything handed to me by the support staff. Mainly Jaffa cakes, jelly babies and cereal bars donated at the final aid station.
And it bloody worked. I had so much energy in the second half of the race!
I took a gel or isogel every 4-5 miles with lots of water. The isogels are heavier but really easy to drink, like orange juice. I alternated caffeinated with plain ones for a boost every 8 miles or quarter of the race. At the halfway and 3 quarter points I also drank my usual lucozade sport.
I also broke the cardinal rule of running: DON'T TRY ANYTHING NEW ON RACE DAY
In this case I ate everything handed to me by the support staff. Mainly Jaffa cakes, jelly babies and cereal bars donated at the final aid station.
And it bloody worked. I had so much energy in the second half of the race!
This brings me to post race.
As usual I felt a bit sick at the finish line. But I knew I'd be peckish in no time so I grabbed a handful of flapjacks/biscuit bars and headed into town for a shower and lunch.
Thinking it was time to be vaguely healthy I chose Wagamamas for rice and chicken and tea. They were also kind enough to let me drink my recovery protein shake with my meal, some restaurants take offence.
I never thought I'd be a recovery shake person but the High 5 chocolate tastes delightful and I really think it's magic in reducing muscle soreness after long runs/races.
My train wasn't for hours so (after killing time at the cinema) I headed to Starbucks as they have both plug sockets so I could charge my phone and a new mobile ordering service so I could slump on a sofa and skip all the hanging about in queues. I ordered lots of tea and just had to stagger to the counter every time they yelled "MOBILE ORDER
Try it yourself here.
As usual I felt a bit sick at the finish line. But I knew I'd be peckish in no time so I grabbed a handful of flapjacks/biscuit bars and headed into town for a shower and lunch.
Thinking it was time to be vaguely healthy I chose Wagamamas for rice and chicken and tea. They were also kind enough to let me drink my recovery protein shake with my meal, some restaurants take offence.
I never thought I'd be a recovery shake person but the High 5 chocolate tastes delightful and I really think it's magic in reducing muscle soreness after long runs/races.
My train wasn't for hours so (after killing time at the cinema) I headed to Starbucks as they have both plug sockets so I could charge my phone and a new mobile ordering service so I could slump on a sofa and skip all the hanging about in queues. I ordered lots of tea and just had to stagger to the counter every time they yelled "MOBILE ORDER
Try it yourself here.
The morning after the race I got up late and branched on toast and bacon and (my one attempt at runner type eating) scrambled egg whites. I had a massage booked and the plan was to lie on the sofa eating afterwards.
So, in the mood for celebrating, I headed to M&S to see if there was a 'Dine in for 2' which I could turn into a 'Feast for 1' . Alas this was not the case.
Browsing the aisles seeking inspiration I found chicken labelled 'munchies' and mashed potato labelled 'ultimate'
SOLD to the lady in yoga pants and legwarmers, pretending they're normal clothes.
So that was dinner sorted.
So, in the mood for celebrating, I headed to M&S to see if there was a 'Dine in for 2' which I could turn into a 'Feast for 1' . Alas this was not the case.
Browsing the aisles seeking inspiration I found chicken labelled 'munchies' and mashed potato labelled 'ultimate'
SOLD to the lady in yoga pants and legwarmers, pretending they're normal clothes.
So that was dinner sorted.
And finally we have the Sunday evening snacks.
Coca Cola is basically my heroin. I have to limit my intake but I'm unlikely to go 'clean'.
An Easter egg from Thorntons, as it just feels so delightfully decadent to eat one before Easter. Breaking all of the food rules. I'm such a rebel. They were on offer ,and I couldn't decide which I wanted, so I bought two. The plan is to gift one at some point......I'll let you know how that goes......
Last but not least.....*drumroll*.....CAKE! This time vanilla, with sprinkles, from Bibi's on Hanover street. Here: http://www.bibisbakery.co.uk
So there we go. Not so much:
'Fueling your ultra marathon'
More:
'Celebrating your ultra marathon with food'
Now don't fret, I'll be back to chicken salad on Monday. Like a thief condoning for my sins.
But if you've RUN YOUR FIRST ULTRA MARATHON you have to celebrate like you're at your 5th birthday party. And your parents have left the room. Put your face in that metaphorical chocolate hedgehog cake.
Endorphins are like that.
Run Cat Girl Run x x x
Coca Cola is basically my heroin. I have to limit my intake but I'm unlikely to go 'clean'.
An Easter egg from Thorntons, as it just feels so delightfully decadent to eat one before Easter. Breaking all of the food rules. I'm such a rebel. They were on offer ,and I couldn't decide which I wanted, so I bought two. The plan is to gift one at some point......I'll let you know how that goes......
Last but not least.....*drumroll*.....CAKE! This time vanilla, with sprinkles, from Bibi's on Hanover street. Here: http://www.bibisbakery.co.uk
So there we go. Not so much:
'Fueling your ultra marathon'
More:
'Celebrating your ultra marathon with food'
Now don't fret, I'll be back to chicken salad on Monday. Like a thief condoning for my sins.
But if you've RUN YOUR FIRST ULTRA MARATHON you have to celebrate like you're at your 5th birthday party. And your parents have left the room. Put your face in that metaphorical chocolate hedgehog cake.
Endorphins are like that.
Run Cat Girl Run x x x