Eat, run, and be merry

People assume that since I am such a dedicated runner, I must be a dedicated healthy eater too.  I will confess that while I try to eat my fruit and veggies, I also have a sweet tooth, so I probably eat more treats than I should.  I try to eat lean meat and salads but I'm a sucker for MnMs.  It would be easier to eat right  if there was some magic running food you could eat that would give you energy, leave you full, and make you super speedy.  Until I find it, I will subscribe to the theory of balance in all things and do the best I can. 

There are as many theories of sports nutrition as there are runners. Because running burns so many calories, there are many ways to eat without going terribly wrong, though some runners tend to be a bit extreme.  Legend reports that marathoner Bill Rogers would eat mayonnaise by the spoonful late at night to fill the tank (though I hope he was pretty desperate). At the other end of the spectrum, current ultra runner Scott Jurek is a strict vegan and just reading about him makes me want to go out and get a big steak wrapped in bacon.  I can't really argue with either theory, because both men run light years faster than me, and they both had plenty of success, but fortunately, most of us survive by eating somewhere in the middle. Have some mayonnaise, just not entire spoonfuls.  And don't worry about a steak, but don't eat the whole cow in one sitting.  

 I had a coach who said, "if you get the furnace hot enough, it will burn anything," so feel free to eat the occasional donut, but know that you are going to have to run for a long time to get the furnace hot enough if you eat the whole dozen.  Happy running (and eating).

For those of you looking for magic health foods, maybe this clip can give you a few ideas.  (Feel free to laugh.)

► 2:55► 2:55

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lraDNDuFNj8

May 7, 2013 - Uploaded by BYUTelevision