Holiday Gift Guide for Runners
Need ideas for the runner in your life? From blister-resistent socks to a high-tech watch, our 2020 holiday gift guide has you covered!
How to Fuel Your Training During the Holidays
How to Fuel Your Training During the Holidays
The holidays are upon us, and along with that comes holiday treats, cookie swaps, family dinners, late-night snacks at parties, and more.
If you’re worried about how to include seasonal treats and fuel your training, never fear! Enjoying holiday treats will not automatically lead to poor results in training and performance, and there is a way to approach those holiday traditions that will enable you to maintain a healthy mindset and establish sustainable habits this holiday season. Use the following guidelines to support your training and promote recovery while enjoying traditional holiday favorites.
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Continue to eat consistent, balanced meals and snacks with carbohydrates, protein, fat, and colorful fruit and vegetables throughout the day. “Saving up” for a holiday feast and skipping meals can set you up for unintentional overeating without satisfying your hunger. Additionally, skipping meals can lead to you missing out on the key nutrient timing opportunities around workouts that are needed for optimal performance and recovery.
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Include your favorite holiday treats in your fueling plan. It’s much healthier for your mind and body if you include the foods that you enjoy in your fueling plan instead of trying to avoid them altogether or stressing over them.
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At holiday gatherings, build a performance plate for runners. Fill half of your plate with colorful fruit or vegetables, one fourth of your plate with your favorite source of protein, and use the remainder of your plate for your favorite side dishes, snack type foods, or desserts.
If you are asked to bring an entree or side dish to a party, volunteer to bring one that is fruit or vegetable-based so you will have that as an option.
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Savor your favorite treats. Don’t settle for a “healthy” version if it’s not what you really want to eat. If you look forward to Aunt Susie’s pumpkin pie every year, have a slice topped with whipped cream and enjoy it!
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Drink alcohol in moderation. Drinking alcohol in excess can cause dehydration, interfere with sleep, and impair protein synthesis and muscle recovery. Additionally, having an alcoholic drink or two immediately after a workout could possibly prevent you from eating or drinking the nutrients your body will need for optimal muscle recovery. Have a recovery snack or meal prior to imbibing in alcohol, and know your personal limits.
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If you do overindulge at a holiday gathering, don’t stress over it, and don’t feel as though you need to restrict food or exercise harder the following day to overcompensate. Give yourself some grace, proceed with your workouts as planned, and continue to have consistent, balanced meals with plenty of fluid.
Above all, remember that allowing yourself to enjoy good food with friends and family is an important part of a sustainable fueling plan. Food is more than fuel; it’s also memories, emotions, traditions, and social connections. A few days of holiday eating won’t derail your training, but stressing over every bite may have an effect on your mental and emotional health and may prevent you from fueling adequately in the future. Train hard, recover harder, eat foods that support your training and emotional/mental health, and don’t forget to have fun!
Written by: Maria Rowe, RDN, LDN, CPT
Instagram: @mariarowenutrition
Maria is a registered dietitian, personal trainer, and competitive masters runner. She helps athletes of all ages and abilities develop sustainable nutrition habits for athletic performance and life. She will be competing in the elite field of the 2023 3M Half Marathon and Ascension Seton Austin Marathon.
Charity Chaser Announced for Ascension Seton Austin Marathon
Devon Lévesque will chase down runners in the official philanthropic program
The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5k, announces Devon Lévesque as the Austin Marathon Gives Charity Chaser for the 2023 event. Levesque’s involvement will highlight Austin Marathon’s continued support of the Austin community, elevate Austin Marathon Gives profile, and help surpass the 2023 one million dollar fundraising goal. The Charity Chaser is part of Austin Marathon Gives, the philanthropic arm of the Austin Marathon which has helped to raise over $5 million for local charities since its inception in 2016.
“I’m honored to be the Charity Chaser and help Austin Marathon Gives surpass its $1 million goal,” said Lévesque. “Training for the Austin Marathon has begun and I’m ready to amplify the positive effects Austin Marathon Gives and its official charities have on our community. Everyone has a story, all you have to do is ask.”
Devon Lévesque is a 30-year-old serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, and fitness enthusiast. He is the founder of two companies; The DML Group, which invests in growth stage health and wellness companies and Creator & Company, a growth marketing firm helping selected brands build community. Aside from his business ventures, Devon lists mental and physical health as a top priority. He bear crawled a marathon in 2020 in 20 hours and 48 minutes to not only set a world record but raise capital for suicide awareness and mental health. Aside from training as the Charity Chaser, Devon is also in the middle of his other purpose driven challenge by summiting the highest point on every continent in the world
“We’re excited to have Devon as the Austin Marathon Charity Chaser,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “The positive impact he’ll have means Austin Marathon Gives will continue to raise its profile to better serve Central Texas nonprofits and the selected charities can raise more funds to better serve our community.”
Devon is in good company in this role; former Charity Chasers include Lance Armstrong; Sportscaster, Ricky Doyle; Meteorologist, Chikage Windler. The charity chaser starts the event after the final starter crosses the start line of the Austin Marathon & Half Marathon, at approximately 7:25 AM. They will then try to catch as many marathon runners as possible. There will be approximately 4,000 marathon runners. For the 2023 edition, Devon is expected to catch all but about 50 of the marathon runners if he hits his goal of 3:00 hours.
The Austin Marathon is recruiting companies and individuals to pledge a dollar amount for each runner passed. So far Tito’s Handmade Vodka & The Austin Marathon have committed to donate $2 per runner passed for Dell Children’s Hospital, the official nonprofit for the 2023 Charity Chaser program.
In 2022, Austin Marathon Gives, presented by the Moody Foundation, contributed more than $670,000 to the Central Texas community. The Moody Foundation added to the efforts for the seventh year in a row and matched contributions made, up to $10,000, for each organization. In addition to the funds and awareness raised, last year’s Austin Marathon Gives Official Charities recruited more than 1200 runners and provided more than 1300 volunteers. Registration and volunteer opportunities are currently available and can be found on the Austin Marathon website.
Meet Your 2023 Pacer Group
The Austin Marathon Pace Team will help you not only achieve your goals, but have FUN; whether the goal is a personal record, Boston Qualifier, or simply to cross the finish line.
