Nutrition — Guest Posts RSS

Protein is one of the most misunderstood parts of endurance nutrition. Learn why it's essential and how much you need—whether you're a desk worker, weekend warrior, or elite athlete.

I love trying really freaking hard. I love digging deep, tapping the last reserves, and emptying the tank as I push my limits physically and mentally on the rock. I pursue climbing as a way of life because I enjoy exploring new places, meeting fellow adventure enthusiasts, and playing in the great outdoors. I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Sport Nutrition at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. My goal is to help athletes use nutrition to maximize their health and performance. Through my studies, I have grown aware of the past inadequacy of my own dietary practices as well as the widespread acceptance of an unhealthy approach to food, diet, and weight throughout the climbing community....

by Brittany Warly I remember the days of feeling congested, drowsy and low energy, dragging just to get through the day. I used to struggle during the hard workouts especially, coughing up mucus, suffering from bronchospasms, in which I would then go into a panic unable to breathe. My skin was all puffy, covered in cystic acne on my jawline, shoulders, and back. I tried topical treatments as well as medications I needed to ingest, and the acne didn’t go away. I felt irritable and my stomach felt heavy and bloated much of the time, making it uncomfortable on long runs especially. I probably had five or six sinus infections per year, which would wipe me out for a couple...

I used to fade super hard towards the end of a 1-hour cyclocross effort. Now, in my final laps I've been able to launch attacks and even sprint to the finish.

Given your entire race / event season could be up in the air, you may find yourself riding, running, or training less than you normally would, which could lead you to wonder if you should make any changes to your food intake. The short answer is: it depends. There are a couple of things to consider when answering this question, and not all of them are based specifically on your fitness or training endeavors.