Can You Intuitively Eat as a Runner?!
Running is a beast, we know this. It’s an amazing way to strengthen and push your body, while also being able to get a blast of endorphins along the way. If you know my story, you know that I love running, and have trained for many half and full marathons. (PS that is a beast in itself, and if you know, you know).
Though the world of running is a beautiful one, it can also come at a cost. When you get into running, it’s easy to get caught up in believing that to be faster, you need to become smaller. When you see small, thin, plank-like bodies have speeds you wish for, it is easy to believe that you must also become the smallest version of you.
Thinness has become idealized in order to achieve speed.
It is not uncommon to see a runner who is pushing their body physically to extreme lengths, but also starving it in order to achieve said thinness. Our brains trick us into thinking that we need to decrease our food intake in order to achieve thinness (and ultimately speed and strength). Sadly, this thought pattern is a disguise. It makes you think that you are helping your athletic performance because you think you’re doing what the professionals are doing… except, you're doing the exact opposite.
If you are stressing your body physically, without the proper rest, or nutritional intake, you’re setting yourself up for disaster. The female athlete triad has become common among female runners- and it’s where you are stressing your body (or losing weight) to the point that leads to dysregulation of your hormones. This can result in fatigue, loss of period, anemia, and ultimately hormone disruption. When we disrupt our hormones, especially as women, it can truly wreak havoc on our total health.
The good news is- it is possible to be a runner, have a healthy physique, achieve speed, and fuel your body appropriately. It takes time to master, but the key is to fuel your body with what it needs. It IS possible to practice intuitive eating and have performance goals at the same time. Fueling your body, and listening to your body, are the keys to athletic (and life) optimal performance.
Through listening to your body and education on fueling your body properly before, during, and after exercise is extremely important to achieve your goals and live your best life. There is a ton of information you can educate yourself on prior to starting to train, run, or race. There are four areas in particular to focus:
Pre-training fuel to prime the body
Mid-training fuel (focus on carb consumption and fluid/electrolyte replacement if training for longer than 60 minutes)
Post-training fuel to promote recovery
Fluid and Electrolyte replacement both during and after
I loved my discussion with Serena Marie, RD, RRCA on how to appropriately achieve this. It’s definitely a process that takes some trial and error, but girl, I believe in you and know you CAN achieve your goals through listening to your body!
PS- If you’re reading this and getting the itch to train for running in a healthy way, check out my Fierce Female’s Guide to Running Your First Half Marathon! and if you are local, consider registering for the Pig Works events in Cincinnati - use code: ‘PW2021HAKE10’ for 10% off any Pig Works event!