Nutrition & Fueling Strategies for Ultra Runners
You’ve hit mile 30 feeling strong, only to suddenly cramp, feel dizzy, or watch your pace collapse. The culprit isn’t fitness—it’s improper hydration. Sweat rate testing for ultra runners eliminates…
You’ve crushed ultras for years, but recently recovery drags longer, familiar fueling strategies cause unexpected GI issues, and muscle mass seems to vanish despite consistent training. Before attributing everything to…
Mile 42. Your stomach rebels against the gel-and-drink strategy that worked flawlessly during training. Nausea builds. The thought of another sweet gel makes you gag. Panic sets in as you…
Premium energy gels. Specialized recovery drinks. Expensive superfoods. Marketing promises that elite performance requires elite spending. Meanwhile, you’re training 60-80 miles weekly while watching grocery costs spiral upward. The reality…
Your hands and feet swell during long runs. You feel increasingly confused after mile 50. Nausea hits despite minimal stomach contents. Before attributing symptoms to “normal ultra suffering,” consider this:…
Your plant-based diet aligns with your values, but training partners warn that vegan ultra runners “can’t get enough protein” or “will become B12 deficient.” You’re crushing training runs yet wondering…
Mile 62. Your pace collapses from 11-minute miles to 18-minute shuffles. Legs that felt strong at mile 50 now refuse to lift. Mental fog clouds every decision. You’re not injured,…
You’re training harder than ever, logging 70-mile weeks, yet your pace slows inexplicably. Stress fractures appear despite adequate mileage buildup. You haven’t menstruated in six months but dismiss it as…
Mile 55. Nausea hits hard. You’ve vomited twice in 30 minutes and can’t keep down gels or water. Your race teeters on the edge of DNF while you watch runners…
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “lighter is faster.” Elite ultra runners look lean. Your fastest training partner weighs 15 pounds less than you. The scale becomes an obsession, and…