Last week, I attended the Marathon Nutrition Seminar at Milestone Running with guest speaker, Dr. Krista Austin. She’s an exercise physiologist and nutritionist, and has worked with some of the best American runners. The event was sponsored by Generation UCan, and everyone received a free sample for going.

Recently, I’ve been having digestive distress on and off, and I am also gearing up for my first marathon after years off from the distance later this year, so I’m obviously very interested in the topic.

One of the first topics covered was Race Weight. But I actually liked Dr. Austin’s definition: the lightest you can get, without sacrificing performance. Ideally, you’re maximizing your power:weight ratio, you should try to maximize power first, and minimize weight after, but not so much that you lose power, or hurt yourself. If you’re losing weight, aim to do so before training for your goal race, and if you find yourself impatient, you’re not eating enough.

Which brings us to nutrition periodization. You should plan your nutrition about a year out from your goal race. She touched on Macro, Meso, and Micro nutrition cycles, but didn’t go much into detail. I’m reading a review article, “Periodized Nutrition for Athletes,” by A.E. Jeukendrup to deep dive into the topic.

Dr. Austin did emphasize following a My Plate model (not necessarily counting calories or macros), and showed the below plate percentages depending on your day’s training.

She recommends the My Fitness Pal app for calorie tracking, and estimating your calories needed for daily life. Then to consume 1 g of carbs for every minute you spend exerting yourself in exercise (which is either zone 3-5 from your Garmin, or an Rating of Perceived Exertion of 5+).

For during exercise fuel, you don’t need to fuel less than 60 minutes of RPE 5+ (recovery intervals don’t count;) If you are exercising for more that 60 minutes take in:

• Moderate Exercise: 0.5-0.7g of carbs per minute (over 60min)
• Intense Exercise: 1g of carb per minute (over 60)

Fuel should be low glycemic index (no spike in blood sugar) and high osmolality (easily absorbed by the gut)

Other general guidelines:

• you should take in 20-25g of protein every 3 hours (and definitely within a few hours of a hard workout)
• you should drink 0.5oz of water per pound of body weight
• every pound you lose from exercise, you should consume 24oz of electrolyte drink
• If you have digestive distress, reduce your fiber to 10g/day for 3 days before (and including) race day
• Goal is stable blood glucose, you can lower the glycemic index of a high glycemic load food by consuming with protein

Keto & low carb came up briefly. She mentioned that if you feel good doing it, great. Do what works for you. Some athletes she works with get great results for body composition and lifting. However, she took the opportunity to reiterate that if you want to hit paces and push yourself in an endurance sport, you need the glycogen to support it. You can train to improve fat oxidation by training fasted, or on high fat/protein meal before running, but typically saves that for easy to easier days, nothing long or high intensity.

For race day, try something like UCan before the event, but after 45-60 min start taking in carbs. Whatever works for you. Practice well before your race so you can train low, and have time to practice your fuel. And practice carrying your fuel too. Us mortals aren’t as lucky as Meb to have bottles out on the course for us. Dr. Austin recommended taking whatever fuel you like with you on your run, and take water from the aid station.

There was nothing earth shattering in what she recommends, but it was a good review and reminder.  Although sponsored by UCan, Dr. Austin wasn’t overly pushy or promising of the product, which was nice. I’ve tried it once, but am willing to try the free sample before making my personal judgement.  The only thing that would have been nice, would be to discuss any differences between men & women’s fueling needs, but there’s not much research in the area, so I guess I understand.  I am starting to train my gut, and practicing with different fuels before I start real marathon training late summer. I can’t wait to see what this training cycle will show with more emphasis on during exercise fuel, not just lifestyle fueling.

Dear Rory, 

I have waited so long to meet you! Your daddy and I are going crazy with anticipation. I am overwhelmed by the thought that in a few short days, I will be able to hold you in my arms! 

Even before you are born, you are already teaching me so much. You are reminding me that as your mother, I am your guide. Despite any plans I make for you, you will follow your own path. As your guide, I am here to help you find your way, to protect you, to teach you, and to inspire you to be the best version of yourself. 

You have yet to make your appearance into the world, but I already love you more than I knew ever possible. I’ve been crying every day that I cannot hold you in my arms. You have inherited my persistence; it will help you achieve your goals throughout life.

I will do my best to teach you to be adventurous. That fear is inevitable, which is okay, but that you can do hard things despite feeling that fear. The world is full of adventure, but you must be willing to embrace all of the emotions that come with it. 

I promise to try my best to welcome you into this world, without expectation. I will do my best not to project my ideas, the should’s and should not’s that I have learned over a lifetime on who you are as a human. I want to teach you to be open-minded, to think critically, and to form your own opinions. That differences are to be embraced and appreciated, not feared or rejected. I want to teach you to speak up for your beliefs, for yourself, for others that need your help, and to do so respectfully. 

These are my goals and wishes that I have for us, my Little Lion. I cannot wait to teach you all of these lessons as well as sharing the world with you! We live in an amazing place, minutes from the ocean, miles from the desert, and a short drive from the mountains. I will show them all to you and teach you the power and beauty of our home here on earth. We will travel and experience cultures from around the world. Everyday you will be surrounded by love, from me, from Daddy, and your two doggy brothers. We have all been waiting patiently to meet you. We love you so much! 

All the love in my heart,

Mommy

I read that a gratitude list helps cope with the last weeks of pregnancy and SUPER anticipation (read- anxiety) of my little one. So here it goes.

1. I am grateful for my husband- seriously couldn’t make it through this without his willingness to listen to me complain and ability to make me laugh. Laughter is important right now.  
2. I am grateful for my career. It is a big part of my identity, although not completely perfect, I’m grateful for the flexibility it is giving me now.
3. I am grateful for my powerful body, still nurturing my fetus. I feel tired & uncomfortable. I have sporadic pains. I don’t even remember what “normal” feels like. But my body continues to stay healthy and support my fetus. I couldn’t ask for anything more. 
4. I am grateful for my baby’s movement. Seriously. This kid is going to whip my ass back in shape in no time! Feeling him move will be the one thing that I miss about pregnancy.
5. I am grateful for the unconditional love from my dogs. Seriously, they are such troopers as I’ve become more of a homebody. And they let me snuggle them, and constantly watch my every move.
   

   
6. I am grateful for the beautiful weather in May, in San Diego. Hot enough, but not uncomfortable. Daily beach walks = sanity.
7. I am grateful for daily talks and texts  with my favorite people!

I’ve officially made it to month 10 of pregnancy. After 9 months, my patience is wearing thin. I’ve turned to my friend google to try to figure out what has worked for others during this last 1-2 weeks of gestation, and continuing to work after my due date. I learned that most women who have time & energy to contribute to the noise of the internet at this stressful point of transition, are extremely priviledge. So, instead of saying how you can navigate this time, here are some guidelines for EVERYONE ELSE in our culture, on what they can do to not be a fucking asshole. And of course, take into consideration who you are dealing with. This is limited to my own experience, but you can taylor it to fit the woman you are dealing with.

What NOT to say to a past-due pregnant woman:

1. What? Still no baby?

2. You’re still here? (especially at work)

3. Here’s a horrible story about ceserian birth

4. Have you tried xyz to start labor?

5. Here’s what happened to my wife to start labor.

Remember, she is barely holding it together. This time is not about your curiosity, think before speaking.

Things you can say to a past-due woman:

1. “Here, I brought you ice cream.”

2. “Is there anything I can do for you today?”

3.  Best of all, offer some authentic encouragement, “I think you’ll really get a kick out of giving birth I would’ve loved to do it several more times but just didn’t need all those babies”

Stay strong Mamas!