Refueling the Right Way and Why Its Important!

        I don't think I can stress enough how important proper fueling is for runners. I preach it all the time to my friends and family about how to eat and what is needed for the long runs. I sometimes don't get my daily intake of calories, carbs, and protein and it's not a good thing. We all live busy lives and sometimes we overlook eating enough to sustain our weight and maintain an active body. I went on a 10mi run this morning and bonked out at mile 8.5 I had to stop on the sidewalk and lean against a fence to catch my body from falling over. My breathing and heart rate were fine, it was just my body gave out on me (Not enough fuel). I sucked it up kept a 9:30 pace for another mile and a half.  I didn't eat properly to sustain enough energy to last  the10 miles. I carbo loaded last night with a big bowl of pasta with marinara and veggies a Greek salad and bread. I ate a 350 calorie breakfast before my run and drank plenty. Sometimes its just not enough. You have to eat the right amount of calories which is 2500 for daily living and you have to add what you burn off in your runs. This is everyday not just before your runs or the night before(which is what I did,Guilty!). I find it hard to eat a lot at one time, so for others like that out there, I feel your pain and it Sucks!. I had to learn to eat breakfast EVERY day, Its the most important meal to give you energy for the day and jump start your metabolism. Also for my training I need 3500-4000calories, 450g of carbohydrates and 75g of protein every day to maintain my training. This is all hard at first, But honestly it becomes habit and eating every 2-3 hours small portions at a time helps to keep you going all day. It does vary between every person on what your daily intake for proper fueling is. ULTRArunning.com Nutrition for the Long run. is recommended site for anyone wanting to learn more on proper nutrition.
         So I learned from today's run how important it is to fuel properly. Sometimes we must fail to succeed, and this is what happened with me. I bonked out, ran out of gas, But I didn't let that end my run so short of 10miles. This is when the running becomes more mental than physical and as becoming a runner you learn how this game really works. You must always keep going, Dean Karnazes said "Run when you can, Walk if you have to, Crawl if you must. Just never give up." This is my mantra and helps me keep going. Its a very deep meaning for runners or anyone doing something that involves them pushing themselves past their own limitations. It's a daily task pushing myself when I'm out there running and I want to quit, I must always keep my head up and keep pushing and looking forward. I hope to achieve many great things one day and the only way I can do that is to Never Stop Running!

Where It All Started

                I started off my running as a challenge from my brother one night while sitting around my apartment with my roommates. We ended up getting on the subject of running because my younger brother was on a cross-country team at his high school. He was pretty quick for only running a year so. My roommates and I were going to see if we could run 1 mile around the YMCA Track and keep up with him. I knew I was going to keep up with him and hopefully beat him like an older brother should.  We decided to run the next morning since it was late and we had been drinking for a while, Hence making the bet to run 1 mile. The greatest decision I have ever made was in fact made while I was intoxicated. 

                 The next morning we all met at the Y Track in some sneakers and ready to go. It was my brother, cousin and his girlfriend(now wife) and I. We all lined up at the starting line. This is the first time I have ever run on a track or lined up to race so I was pretty excited. My brother was the runner here so we followed his mark and took off when he gave the word. My brother took off I followed closely feet slamming on the asphalt hard! I was 5'11 and 184lbs at this time so I was given my body a pretty good beating. I kept pretty close with my brother then the .25 mark came up on the track and I was already slowing down to a jog breathing very heavily. My cousin and his wife had just passed me trotting along at a good pace to just last the 1 mile. I had to pick it up, I was thinking, "I've played soccer for years off and on I know I can do this!" I knew I wasn't going to win so I decided to just keep the slow pace and at least finish without having to stop and walk. I kept going, one foot in front of the other, arms swinging inward, stomach jumping up and down. I could feel my whole body shutting itself down, my legs started to go numb and my breathing was at a wheeze at the half-mile mark. I made it to the .75 mark on the track in 9:54. I was done, My body couldn't take anymore I was physically and mentally drained, embarrassed, ashamed, tons of emotions going through me. I walked to the finish line with my head down hands on my hips just blown away how out of shape I was. My friends gave encouragement and congrats to one another and all gave Hi-Fives.
                  It took me almost a month to finish the 1 mile at the track. I eventually got it and today im running 20 miles non-stop and on a journey to becoming an Ultra Runner. I started running April 2010 not being able to finish 1 mile. Its coming close to 2 years and I'm planning on running a marathon on the anniversary of my first .75 mile run on April 20th 2012. Today I weigh 140lbs and run 6:00 min mile. I want to inspire and help people reach their goals in running and just knowing to not ever give in, Even in life to not give up. I almost quit twice on my journey to where I am. I couldn't ever leave running though, Its my life and I am where I am today because of it. It's that simple reminder.