Almost 60,000 Vancouverites just completed the 10k Sun Run (yes, I was among them). Now, it's marathon season, a mere 26 miles of pavement. Today marks the 37th annual Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon!
I send my best wishes to the runners today! Particularly to Thomas Omwenga, last year's winner from Nairobi, Kenya. Thomas's running career earns him enough to support a large extended family back home, where a Canadian dollar goes a very long way. Due to last minute visa problems, some of his toughest competitors will not be joining us today.
Nutrition plays a critical role in athletic performance, but many active people do not eat a diet that helps them do their best on the pavement. Don't make the mistake of thinking that popping a pill (ie. taking your vitamins) instead of planning your meals, is good enough. There is no pill, potion or powder that can enhance your performance like the right foods and fluids.
To have enough energy for Race Day, you need to consume enough energy. Getting adequate calories is one of the keys to a performance-enhancing diet. With too few calories, you will feel tired and weak and be prone to injuries.
Nothwithstanding personal food allergies, you must include high quality components of each of the food groups, grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and protein-rich foods.
Sugars and fats provide extra calories after the needs from the other food groups have been met. Again, only go for high quality components.
Then, after you are confident that you're making the best food and beverage choices, go take your vitamins. This will remove the final nutritional question mark from your plate, and give you some nutritional insurance.
For lots of information on long-distance running, I often go to http://www.copacabanarunners.net/ .
I send my best wishes to the runners today! Particularly to Thomas Omwenga, last year's winner from Nairobi, Kenya. Thomas's running career earns him enough to support a large extended family back home, where a Canadian dollar goes a very long way. Due to last minute visa problems, some of his toughest competitors will not be joining us today.
Nutrition plays a critical role in athletic performance, but many active people do not eat a diet that helps them do their best on the pavement. Don't make the mistake of thinking that popping a pill (ie. taking your vitamins) instead of planning your meals, is good enough. There is no pill, potion or powder that can enhance your performance like the right foods and fluids.
To have enough energy for Race Day, you need to consume enough energy. Getting adequate calories is one of the keys to a performance-enhancing diet. With too few calories, you will feel tired and weak and be prone to injuries.
Nothwithstanding personal food allergies, you must include high quality components of each of the food groups, grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and protein-rich foods.
Sugars and fats provide extra calories after the needs from the other food groups have been met. Again, only go for high quality components.
Then, after you are confident that you're making the best food and beverage choices, go take your vitamins. This will remove the final nutritional question mark from your plate, and give you some nutritional insurance.
For lots of information on long-distance running, I often go to http://www.copacabanarunners.net/ .
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