Proper Nutrition when Training for a 1/2 Marathon

Question
Hello,I am considering participating in a 1/2 Marathon this fall. It is approximately 8 months from now. I'm going to condition my body physically first, then marathon train 4 months before the race in Nov. My question is what should I be eating in order to lose weight and still fuel my body for optimal performance? Specific foods would help me, also know I'm not a big vegetable eater...I can eat cooked carrots and tomatoes.

Thank you,
Veronica

Answer
Veronica-

Well you wont need a ton of veggies etc so thats a good thing training and competing in a marathon requires a LOT of fuel even when trying to lose weight. Your challenge is not going to be to lose weight but to lose fat and not muscle distance running in itself will eat muscle as its heavy and expensive. Your going to want a day or two of short heavy resistance training to help a bit. base your nutrition on meats, dairy, and eggs etc (protein) and fats from the meats, butter, nuts olive oils etc. The around your training you can take in a bit of carbs and as you lose weight you can add more in especially during your event training to fuel good sessions but the base of your foods should be fat and protein with some green veggies tacked in here and there.

You dont need a TON of carbohydrate to fuel what your doing, long slow cardio is mainly a fat based burning activity. You'll be able to convert the protein to glycogen you needs and the aminos will hep preserve your muscle while shedding weight

You might look at the metabolic diet by dr dipisquale

For more info you should join our free discussion forum, you will get lots of great advice and discussion there www.teamstaley.com start a training log. We can help with training, diet and then give advice on supplementation.

Phil
www.staleytraining.com

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