The elite diet and running talk
Does anyone else look at these elite marathoner diets (the one below is for Dathan Ritzenheim from the February issue of Runner’s World) and think “Geez, I eat more than they do, and they work out twice a day! What the heck is wrong with me?!”?
That does not seem like much food. To me, anyway.
Now, to his credit, he did say he enjoys homemade bread with honey and butter as a treat. And this guy probably weighs less than me, so there’s that… but yeah. That’s all I can come up with.
I think it’s really interesting to see what elite marathoners eat, and get a glimpse in to their lives. But really? I struggle with seeing too much of what other people eat (on blogs) – I know it helps hold some people accountable, but for me, it becomes a comparison, and I really don’t need that. We’re all on our own food journey, and I cannot look at someone else’s daily eats without thinking how I ate more. So I avoid that. And I am not talking about sharing recipes, or “look at this awesome cupcake,” but food diaries.
Oops. This turned into a food post. It was supposed to be a running post. Hey! What happened?!
Let me talk about something I can relate to, also from the same issue of Runner’s World. There was a short article about finding the perfect running partner. The criteria in the article was obvious and basic, but I did like the last section of the article (read here) about running buddy bonds. Update – link to the RW article here.
I’ve noticed, and I am sure many of you runners have too, that there is a tendency to open up to one another when running, and feel like you can say anything. This short blurb (three paragraphs) touched on that, saying “cortisol is low, so stress is low” and “endorphins are flowing, so your guard is down.” You feel relaxed, and like you can speak freely. Also, there is the whole interesting dynamic of not facing the person you are talking to, so you are talking forward, which may also be more freeing.
As usual, I am butchering what I read and not quite getting my thoughts out, but maybe someone out there knows what I am talking about. Maybe I should explain it to you during a run?
When you read blog posts about what other people eat (like a meal diary) do you compare yourself to them? Do you find it helpful or harmful*?
Do you feel like you can open up with your running buddies? Why do you think that is?
I feel like one of the reasons Erin and I have such a strong relationship is because we spent countless hours running together! And the weekly lunch dates. And sometimes weekend dates. Oh, and all those emails… ha ha.
*And I am not saying it’s bad to share what you eat. Just that personally, I should not look at it, because I am not in a healthy state of mind, food-wise. I am getting there!
Themocracy
That doesn’t seem like very much food to me either. I definitely eat more. I tend to skip over most of the food diary type things as well. I read tons of food blogs but I don’t care too much about what kind of oatmeal someone had. I don’t really compare myself that much but back years ago when I was actually working on losing weight, I’m sure I would have…in a bad way.
That does seem like a small amount of food, especially compared to what he depletes from all the miles!
I occasionally read blogs where people document their every bite but I don’t read them on a regular basis… mostly because I find it boring. I will sometimes skim through to get ideas for stuff to make though.
I think another reason runners bond so much when running together is that they have a candid audience. Usually there aren’t many distractions (computers, phones, etc) to contend with so you get that person’s undivided attention. I think the things you mentioned are probably true as well. I am probably not quite as open with my running buddies than I would be otherwise simply because they are my coworkers. I am open enough but still wouldn’t want to share too much.
Ooo, that is SUCH a good point about the candid audience! One of my “resolutions” this year was to be less distracted when people are talking to me, and I recall how awesome my conversations with my husband were when we would run together – because neither of us were distracted!
I would not want to share with coworkers too much either!
Who eats half a bag of microwave popcorn? What does he do with the other half of the bag?
There are some food diary-type blogs that I like to read because they show me how someone else gets lots of healthy food into their diet in a balanced way and give me ideas.
Maybe his wife? Or maybe he shares it with his kids? I think the article said he had a 4 year old and a 1.5 year old.
Well the peanut butter and nutella are almost equal in the amount of fat so if he’s slopping on a bunch on some toast it could be what he needs. Along with the gatorade stuff. I looked up that nutrition bar and it’s 39 carbs!!! eek. That would make me freak but for an elite that’s a bonanza! lol.
I do feel bad that my steak on Sunday was more ozs than his! lol. I hope he’s weighing his stuff!
Runners usually bond well because we all started at zero in one way or another and probably have experienced the same journey at some time.
I didn’t really think about the PB and the nutella. Or looking up the bar. Thanks for being an actual fact checker! 🙂 I guess that is what is making him feel full? 🙂
The only reason I think the PB and nutella are close in fat because they are the same Ww points just by checking out nutella at the store and not buying. LoL I thought the bar would be high because I’ve tried a few big protein bars and rhey’ve sucked at points. I agree with someone else who said he must leaning out and it’s not after a race.
You have to remember that the eat like that because it is their JOB to maintain their machine to the best of their ability. I know that “food is fuel” and all that, but I eat because I LIKE food. It tastes good. I try to make smartish chices, but when it comes right down to it, food is a pleasure source for me.
And you know how I feel about running buddies 🙂
Such a good point! It’s their job; not ours. I eat for pleasure too. Sigh.
I had the same reaction you did — it doesn’t seem like a lot of food at all!! I generally try to stay away from the “daily diet” types of things, because they just irritate me for some reason.
Since I run alone 99% of the time, I really can’t say anything about running buddies. I think I’d find it kind of awkward, since I’m not really that talkative to start with!
<3 <3
My guess is that he probably eats more after a race but this is the diet he uses to “lean out” leading up to a race. For an elite marathoner, every extra ounce of body weight is extra baggage to slow him down. The problem with showing a snapshot like that is that you don’t know how typical it is — this may be an ideal day. A pro athlete also knows that he or she only has so many years to make money so they are very motivated to do anything to have an extra edge in the short term.
All good points! It would be neat to see an article about a month in their life, or even a year, and whether they were training for a goal race or not!
I wish I had a running GF, you are so lucky!
Have you not met any through a local blogger or a club?
I thought the same thing when I read that… “That isn’t very much food.” That barely seems like enough calories to match an intense workout?
I love running with buddies and love talking about running. It just seems most appropriate if you’re already running! 🙂
(I love your photo, that’s one of my favorite running spots)
I’m interested in people’s food diary posts from a research point of view. I get a lot of recipe ideas from others. And strangely, some of my food diary-style posts get tons of hits, even though I think they’re kind of bland (Ha! get it?).
But, the rub on the food posts is that it’s what people choose to share. There’s one blog in particular that I follow that I’m constantly tempted to say “Let’s get real here. You call three sweet potato fries a splurge? Where’s the ice cream/chocolate/chips in there?”
Nobody’s perfect, and I don’t want to get to the point that I don’t eat the foods I enjoy in the name of appearance or performance.
Bland. LOL! 🙂
That is the same thing I wonder – “is that really all she ate for lunch?! WTF?” ha ha. It would suck to document everything you eat and think about not eating something, for appearance, like you said. Hmm, I think I will add this idea to my online identities post draft. Thank you!
Wow, I most definitely eat more than that. I think my diet is a little on the heavy carb side (mostly because I’m a vegetarian). I don’t so much compare my diet to others, but I do compare my body type. I know I need to stop because it really isn’t healthy for me.
If you enjoy seeing what the elites eat read Racing Weight by Matt Fitzgerald (I also get a huge kick out of what he thinks I should weight. ha!). I eat more than all of them as well so don’t feel alone in that.
Sometimes I like seeing what others eat, usually to get new food ideas. I never compare myself to them though. That is a slippery slope. We’re all so different.
I have that book! I was thinking the same thing about the diets in that book. Happy to hear I am not the only one.
How do you keep from comparing yourself? It’s hard for me with food, for some reason.
That’s it?! I can’t believe that’s the complete diet of an elite marathoner! I agree with you – doesn’t seem like enough food. That’s like the equivalent to what I eat and god knows my training is no where near his!
As for reading what other people eat, I like to see other people’s meals to get ideas for recipes, however, I’d be lying if I didn’t sometimes compare my diet to theirs. I keep a healthy perspective about it all though because everyone is different and need different things in their diets!
I can’t read the blogs where they go into great detail about what they eat. If they share recipes and cooking tips (like http://www.eatdrinkandrun.com/ and http://kellytheculinarian.blogspot.com/), that’s one thing – I find those helpful. But if it’s just a picture of their salad? BO-ORING. But generally those blogs are very much a laundry list of their day’s activities with no actual interesting or unique content, and I find those blogs pretty boring and generally don’t read them anyway.
Oh my gosh. I find those types of blogs really boring too. Like… really. Although – some people do a good job of making it interesting. Many do not. I can see why you would want to read that if you knew the person irl (and were nosy) though.
What I don’t understand is how those blogs have SO many followers and get SO many comments and they are just SO boring. Are their readers really that bored that they would read that? Every day? I mean, I guess it stands to reason if reality TV is as popular as it is, a play-by-play of a blogger’s day would attract an audience, but I just don’t get it. Then again I don’t watch reality TV.
I’ve always been partial to the Michael Phelps Diet, minus all the working out and stuff – http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/08/13/the-michael-phelps-diet-dont-try-it-at-home/
I hope this diet involves a puke stick after every meal?
I agree with what other people said about the fact that he must be eating (and drinking) really calorie-dense food. It might be easier to eat that than to sit down and eat a LOT of food. I’m not saying that I would feel satisfied with that, but I’m not an elite athlete (obviously!).
The other MAJOR food group missing from that diet? Beer and wine!
I know, I know, it’s not a food group, but I do like a nice beer or glass of wine at the end of the day. Thank goodness I’m not an elite athlete!
That isn’t much food…at all! Like someone else mentioned, I can’t believe that’s enough calories to sustain from such high intensity workouts!
It doesn’t bother me to read food blogs/diaries of regular people b/c I think I am at a point where I don’t need to compare. There would have been a time though where it would have made me react/compare in a really negative way though. I really look at those blogs for ideas of new things to try (be it recipes, products, etc)
However, I DO get really comparison heavy on exercise logs/workout schedules! And when I see people putting up ultra high miles weeks and then tons of cross training, etc etc etc, I do get twinges of insecurity. The self talk goes something like this: “how can I be a REAL marathoner if I’m only running 4 days a week and not doing 50-60 mile weeks?” “I am such a joke” “I am so lazy” and on and on and on.
And that is not at all to say that I don’t like your training logs…heck, I put mine up (when I could manage get it all together) during my last marathon cycle. But I guess it just illustrates that we are all sensitive to different things and making comparisons without even intending to! (Does that make sense?)
That TOTALLY makes sense. It is interesting that we have the opposite things we are sensitive about. Me with the food diaries, you with the training log. I have always known that our athletic abilities are so unique to us, so I don’t compare. I am not sure why I think food is not unique as well?
Did they actually say how many calories per day the elites are eating/burning? I think that’s really the only way to know if they are eating “enough.” It doesn’t seem like a lot of food on the surface but I bet if you added it up it would be a lot more calories than you think!
As for running buddies, I love running with you the best 🙂 I do feel like I can talk about more things when I’m running even though I’m normally really bad at small talk.
They did not say! Just that he does two workouts a day. It just seemed so small to me 😉 Maybe I should add it up. Maybe RW SHOULD have. Ha ha.
You are my fave running buddy too. This spring we will be bike buddies! We just have to get the talking/riding part down.
I’ve really only ever compared myself to myself, so I guess I’ve been lucky to avoid that whole issue. I know what works for me is different than what works for other people, so seeing what they eat doesn’t have any negative effects.
As for the running partner thing, I can totally see that. I’m a very open person as it is. I will pretty much tell anybody anything, but not having to say things face to face makes a big difference. It means I can be even more open than usual. That could be a good thing, or it could be a disaster. Depends what I have to say. 🙂
that really does not seem like much food for an elite. there really aren’t that many food groups represented either. but i think a good thing to take from this is that he has had injury after injury in his running career, maybe it has something to do with his diet. i for sure eat more then he does, and probably weigh more too.
food blogs used to hold some interest for me and served as meal inspiration, but now i cannot stand reading them. but i have some really strong opinions about diet, and i get really annoyed when people make stupid nutritional choices and think that they are food rockstars. but that’s just cause i’m crazy.
I love your craziness! 🙂 I wonder what you would think of a day of my diet. Uh oh… 😉
I hate that, too! However, it seems like that particular article is sponsored by Gatorade.
Ha! Maybe it is!
I avoid reading food blogs, mostly because I feel like sometimes it’s more “look how little I eat!”
That food looks really brown and not that healthy to me. And I agree with you – it doesn’t seem like very much. Of course we would be replacing all that meat and fish with veggies and beans, which would definitely be prettier!
As for food diary type blogs, yes, they are pretty boring, and yes, I do know what you mean about how they can be triggering. I like food blogs that share healthy recipes.
Very interesting! I still have not read my Feb. issue! Hopefully tonight! I have just been so busy. I sometimes like to see what people eat, but usually I eat a TON and don’t know how people who work out can eat so little. Plus usually the days I show what I eat, I end up eating really well because I know I am going to post on it.
People can talk while running?! Amazing. : )
I see that sometimes and think… wow they don’t eat much. I always think about how they aren’t really meeting the recommended amount of fruits and veggies either. I do eat way more than these athletes and I am okay with that. I think a lot of them are to skinny anyway!
Its funny…. One of my running buddies, someone I had only know for a few months, was one of the first individuals I told when I found out I was pregnant. I told her while I was on one of my morning runs. 🙂
i agree that i find it way to easy to compare myself to others, so sometimes I have to step away from reading blogs for a bit to remember that i’m doing a-ok
I admit that I often compare my eating habits to bloggers/runner/triathletes. Sometimes I do it in a self-defeating kind of way, but other times I read that stuff and use it as a motivator to keep myself on track.
I read that thing in RW as well, and thought the same thing. But I have to imagine that they eat way more then they cop to in those articles – there is no way elites can train they way thew do and subsist on that few calories, right? Chrissie Wellington, arguably the best female triathlete in the world right now, once posted her daily food intake on her blog and it was stunning how much she consumes to adequate maintain weight and energy.
Do you have a link to that post? That is what I would like to see!
Interesting comment on how someone might open up more because they’re not facing their running buddy. I never would have thought of that, but it kind of makes sense.