Wednesday, March 21, 2012

It's gettin' *Hoity Toity* up in here!

So on Friday I have a 1-hour phone consult with a registered dietician who also happens to be an elite marathoner.

You may be thinking, "Oh cool!" or possibly, "Um, why?" Or maybe both.

I have a coach, and now I'm working with a dietician. You'd think I was training for the Olympics or something. What next? A personal masseuse who comes to my house weekly? (Wouldn't that be sweet?)


Racing has become a serious thing for me. For starters, let's take a look at where I live:

Paradise. Not.

My closest race options are in San Diego and Phoenix, both approximately three hours away. Sure we have a handful of city races in Yuma, but they are L-A-M-E. (No offense, Parks and Recreation, but they are!) There's not a whole lot that lies between these two cities other than mountains and/or desert. That means that racing involves not only an entry fee, but gas, lodging and food expenses. And the element of time to make it a weekend event. With that being said, it's really only logistically possible for me to do 4, maybe 5 races a year given my husband's schedule (both for work and any races he'd like to do) and my oldest son's swim meet schedule.  

For 2012, I am thinking that I can swing possibly 3 marathons and 2 half marathons. That's it.

I want the next 4 out of (possibly) 5 races to be really *quality* efforts, so I've decided to enlist the help of the pros. I decided during my last marathon training cycle that I would seek help in the eating department during my next training cycle. With almost 8 weeks until Pasadena, it's time for Nutrition Success!

I can't remember exactly how I stumbled across Jackie's blog, but she is amazing. Over the past several months, I have really enjoyed reading her take on nutrition, hydration, and pre-, during, and post-refueling efforts. She even did the coolest race report on exactly how she fueled and hydrated during the 2012 Olympic Trials.  

This is the kind of stuff I'm hungry for lately. Pun intended. It's time for me to really buckle down and concentrate on how I'm fueling myself for my race training. I have a decent diet, but I'm certain that there's tons of room for improvement. I'm excited to see what she has to say about it all, especially for fueling during races. I have to be honest, that element of training/racing is possibly what stresses me out the most. I want my body to run smoothly and efficiently, so I need the perfect fuel for it. It's not always easy to know "how" to fuel though.

I'll let you know how goes! Look for some exciting and informative posts from me next week.




11 comments:

  1. I was like the first response you mentioned "oh cool!" Thats awesome! I would love some proper nutrition advice from a runner. Look forward to the posts! :)
    p.s. I have never heard of Yuma- are you guys on the border? Do you ever go to Mexico?

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    1. Yes, we are right on the border of Mexico and SW California. I haven't been over to the other side since we moved here. Maybe someday!

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    2. SE California, I meant. Duh!

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  2. Looking forward to your insight! I'm pretty bad about nutrition with training and am always looking for better ways to fuel efficiently during my races. I do plan on making this more of an effort for my Detroit run this October and I need all the help I can get!

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  3. I know what you mean about trying to have quality races over quantity! I love racing and do it as often as I can but I don't race "just for fun." I'm always trying to better my time, my fitness and myself. We aren't loaded with numerous racing options around here either which can be a little annoying. Financially I want to do what's best.

    I will be thinking of you and your big Half this weekend. Good luck!! I know you will go great!

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    1. Ok this is not a reply to Tia's comment, but blogger is bugging again.

      I am sitting here drinking a mocha and didn't eat lunch yet. bad stuff. I will need to see what you learn :) Obviously I have some bad habits.

      Yuma- isn't there a race from Mexico to Yuma? :)

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    2. There actually is a Yuma Territorial Marathon that gets really close to Mexico, and had I run it this past year, I might have won it for the females! (The winning time was slower than my Carlsbad time). It's just so freaking ugly though. No thanks.

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  4. This is awesome, Allison. I think it shows that you are serious and dreaming big. Can't wait to see what you learn and how it affects your racing. Thanks for posting her blog. Interesting stuff---there really is a science to it.

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    1. Julie! How are you?!?! I miss your posts. Hope you are doing well.

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  5. You Fancy huh, you Fancy huh.
    Cant wait to hear!

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  6. Thinking of you today... curious to hear how it goes!!

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