As I sit in my bed eating Cocoa Puffs after a 10 miler, I once again am resisting the urge to googlestalk healthy recipes out of guilt. There are so many sites and blogs with fantastic healthy recipes that you could spend all day just clicking away – and then all night feeling bad about yourself. Â Who needs that?
But it’s Friday. And Friday should be a guilt-free day, right?
Friday is the day for Cocoa Puffs, four cups of coffee, and a double order of cupcakes.
Friday is not the day for Kale salad (yum), beet juice, and tofu stir fry (blech and double blech).
But the Friday Fun can only last until lunch. Because you know what happens on Saturday – the Long Run. And the Long Run requires fuel. And Cocoa Puffs, no matter how scrumptious, will not get you through hours and hours of running.
Frankly, Cocoa Puffs will not get you through hours and hours of anything – except maybe a Dance Moms marathon (not that I would know, or anything).
Tomorrow, I have an 8 hour run on the agenda. 8 hours will quickly degenerate into a slogfest if I don’t make sure I eat solidly today. For me, that means red meat, potatoes, veggies. I find that my long runs go significantly better if I eat a steak the night before. When I’ve skimped – had pizza, or pasta – I’m pretty much a whining blob of goo a few hours in no matter what I ate for breakfast before the run.
So, while it’s still morning, still Fun Friday, I’m going to go make myself some popcorn. And maybe have a Coke. But this afternoon, when Fun Friday is over, I will get serious. But I might still have a cupcake AFTER the steak. It is Friday, you know?
Happy Running!
Mom, ultrarunner, four-time US 24 Hour National Team member, adventure athlete, food writer. Graduate of the Pro Cooking Program at the New School of Cooking, Los Angeles. Will run for food.
{ 12 comments }
Steak…yum… 🙂
Happy running!
Kate recently posted…CAC2: Non-racing with the best
I’m stock-piling posts like this as I start to increase my long runs.
When you do a long (8 hour) run – do you just run for time or distance also?
Kim recently posted…Welcome Back Sunshine!!!
Yum! Steak and cupcakes may be worth an 8-hour run. How can it be I’ve never eaten Coco Puffs? I’m a Froot Loop and Trix girl.
Thank you, Kate! 🙂
I alternate, Kim. I do one run for time, and then do one run for distance. If I stick to one type of run, I start psyching myself out.
Cocoa Puffs are the best, Marcia! Well, maybe Cap’n Crunch. 🙂 But, I also like Froot Loops. And Cocoa Krispies. And Honey Combs 🙂
Surely after an eight hour crazy run you’re allowed to let your hair down and eat pretty much anything to refuel. I certainly follow this strategy and I only run for two hours. Today’s recovery menu involved poached eggs on wholegrain toast and a cappuccino (large soy), then an apple, then some finger licks of the cupcake batter, a handful of choc chips which just happened to be at hand, a bit of scone dough, a whole scone hot out of the oven (mocha date – a new creation that WILL be repeated because it’s divine) and it’s only just midday. Maybe I should just go have a nap now to stop the food accidentally falling into my mouth.
Char recently posted…Stress and Sanity
I’m in day one of my depletion phase in preparation for next Saturday’s 50K. I’m trying something new and radical… and I should be stark raving mad, barking at the moon by tomorrow.
SteveQ recently posted…25 Essential Films
I stopped the pre-long run pasta dinners long ago. Steak is my first choice too. No matter where you are you can always get a steak!
Kirstin C (@ultrarunnergirl) recently posted…Bull Run Run: DNF
I wish I could bake, Char, just so I could have my creations accidentally fall into my mouth 🙂
I will go check your blog, Steve, to see how it went.
Yes, Kirstin, I learned back in my swimming days that two Winchell’s doughnuts were only good for about a 50 meter freestyle. No way straight carbs will fuel for a run.
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