Diet Of A Runner

Athletes must keep themselves hydrated and ready to run at all times. They must drink water or Gatorade, why Gatorade, I do not know because it is full of sugar, but it gets the job done. When drinking a runner should be aware of how much they are drinking close to their race, it can cause cramps and swishing in the stomach that makes them feel heavy while running.  I found water is best, crisp, refreshing, and doesn’t come out if you have to spit after a race. Which isn’t good, it can affect their running tremendously. A runner should always eat at least two hours before they have to run, this way their food is a little digested in their system.  If a runner gets hungry its best to just power up on a granola bar, fruit cup, or ask the coach is it okay for them to even have something. It is NEVER okay for a runner directly before a race, it causes cramps and the runner to throw up because the food doesn’t mix well with the body temperature after a race. There is always cases that defy these guidelines and remain unaffected, I am one. Most runners look like they eat absolutely nothing, but in reality they eat more than anybody they’ve probably met. When running all day, it makes a person hungry like they’ve never ate before. Of course, this is after the race is over and they don’t have to participate for the rest of the day. Most of the time it is not advised by any coach, official, anyone in the Track Nation.

*This is from a elementary to high school level perspective, at the college level things become more complex.