Tag Archives: beer

Fueling for Long Runs

It’s no secret that running long distances means you can eat more. I mean, according to my Garmin, I’m burning about 2,400 calories on a 20-mile run.

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While I started running while I was losing weight, I didn’t start running to lose weight, if that makes any sense. I started running because it seemed like a fitness activity that I’d be able to stick with and that I could do outside. So I don’t run because I can burn an insane amount of calories–it’s just a fringe benefit.

In order to be able to run long distances and not feel like I’m going to die, I need to eat properly–especially the day before. I don’t want to have to stop an otherwise awesome run to find a bathroom immediately. I’ve had to do this way too many times, and I’d prefer to not make a habit of it.

So, I’ve found what works for me the day before I have a long run on my schedule. (And tomorrow I have 15 on the schedule.)

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Bananas and sunflower butter on a bagel thin or whole wheat English muffin. Always. Oatmeal is too fibrous the day before a long run for me.

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A whole wheat wrap with chicken, sundried tomatoes, spinach, mozzarella and honey mustard. With chips on the side. I accidentally discovered last year that having chips the day before a long run helps me because of all of the salt, so I have made a point to incorporate chips into my diet the day before a long run. You know, just to be safe.

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For dinner, like any other good runner, I make sure to have lots and lots of pasta.

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I have a feeling y’all will be divided on this one.

So, last year, I wouldn’t drink at all the night before a long run. It wasn’t worth the possibility of being even hungover in the slightest. (Although? Let’s be real. I can certainly handle 2-3 beers without being hungover.)

Then, the night before my first 15-miler, I was so nervous that I decided to order a glass of wine with dinner. I had said one glass of wine and was totally fine. For the rest of that training cycle, I’d occasionally have a drink the night before a long run, but I tried not to make a habit out of it.

This year, I’ve ended up having 1-2 beers before every long run, and–and I swear I’m not just saying this to justify my drinking before a long run–I think it helps! I’ve had some amazing long runs this year.

So…

What are your day-before-long-run food rituals? And team booze before long run or team oh hell no?

In Which I Try to Eat All the Carbs

Second only to eating, my favorite post long-run activity is doing absolutely nothing.

But after a few hours of that, I get bored and am ready to head out again.

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I mean business. Give me some more carbs in a glass, please.

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Tina and I tried to go to Ginger Man, but it was incredibly packed, so we headed to the Galway Hooker. (Side note: if you ever go to Ireland, make sure to get to Galway. It’s maybe the most awesome place in the world.)

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Ashley and Bo came to meet us for a drink before our dinner reservation.

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We went to BLT Fish Shack for their NYC Craft Beer Week prix-fixe menu: three courses, three beers, $40. Oh yes.

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BLT Fish Shack is the more casual version of BLT Fish. It’s reminiscent of a beachside seafood restaurant…but in the middle of NYC.

Rebecca, Gabriela and Clare met up with us for dinner.

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Some came for the seafood, but I was excited for the carbs. They brought us out this garlic bread with cheese sauce on it, and I fell in love. I tried really hard to share but don’t think I did a very good job.

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Bo ordered this raw bar seafood platter for the table. It was good and all, but the fish weren’t covered in cheese and carbs.

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Beer #1: Blue Point Toasted Lager. This was the lightest of the three beers and my favorite.

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Course #1: Sweet corn and Maryland crab chowder with paprika toast. The chowder was really good, but I remarked during dinner that I thought there was crack on the toast, it was so good. Crack, paprika. Same thing.

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Beer #2: Lagunitas IPA. I’ve had and enjoyed this one before. I’m not a huge fan of beer in bottles, but this is a good one.

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Course #2: Tempura fried branzino with broiled Swiss chard and lemon-jalapeno aioli. This was tasty, but the aioli and the fried fish were all incredibly heavy in addition to all the beer we were drinking.

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Beer #2: Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout. I’m not usually a stout girl, but this one was pretty good and complemented our dessert well.

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Course #3: Mini donuts. These were technically called mini donuts, but they tasted much more like churros.

After we finished, we rolled out of the restaurant and over to Lillie’s for one more drink. When we got home last night, I’m pretty sure we were awake for approximately 30 seconds before collapsing into wonderful long run/full belly slumber.

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This morning, I woke up starving, and we walked over to the diner for some breakfast. I had an omelette with avocado, mushrooms and mozzarella…

…but the best part was the toast.

I think I need a carb intervention.