I got a question about how I prepared for my race on Saturday. As in taper, fueling, life…you know. This is what works for me. Maybe not you? But it works for me.
First let’s go with eating. As many of you know-I’ve been living off a high protein, low carbohydrate, high fat diet for the last 6 months. I hesitate with diet (I’m not losing weight…nor do I care too). But these are my lifestyle choices. My taper eating plan started last Sunday. I began cutting my carbohydrates lower (to roughly 80 grams). It was a bit hard to get my runs in this way, but I wanted to fully deplete my muscles from carbohydrates (as much as possible). I know a lot of marathoners that do this for their big races (true carb-loading versus just eating lots of carbs the night before).
So Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were very very low carbohydrate days. (not low calorie, low carbohydrate). I think I lived off of steak, fish, peanut butter, yogurt and some vegetables obviously. I was eating about 2500 calories and running about 5 miles daily (for you number nosy people).
peanut flour pancakes with yogurt
Some of those miles were harder then usual because I was lacking carbohydrates. (Which is how I was *supposed* to feel.) I got everything done that needed too and by Thursday morning my carbohydrate gates were open and primed. Ie: ready to accept willing carbohydrates.
And they did.
This time, however, I built up to eating about 3000 calories. My exercise remained the same at roughly 5 miles. Except Thursday, when all I did was rest. Am I worried that ate 3000 calories and just actively rested.
No. never. Not all all. Don’t be silly.
During my two day carb load, I ate about 80%/10/10. You can obviously figure out 80% carbs.
I even had pasta which is rare for me. (I’m not a big pasta fan).
buckwheat pancakes are my favorite carbloading pancake ever. Actually just favorite pancake.
How did it work for me? Well, I ran my fastest 5k of my life and felt great. I didn’t ever feel like I was dying during the race and that is obviously a plus.
Questions for you:
How do you eat during taper?
Which is your favorite: Carbohydrate, fat or protein?
I avoid ethnic food (which I absolutely love but my stomach does not on long runs, lol). I usually start eating a bunch of carbs a couple days before the race. I love bread so carbs are probably my favorite, lol. Congrats on running a great race!
Yummy eats! Thing is chicka if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. You are very talented and super fast! I get the impression (maybe I’m wrong) that you’ve been getting people making remarks about your lifestyle. I just want to say do what’s good for you and a great saying ‘what you think is none of my business’
I like to say that one to myself when I feel miffed off with the world.
hehe! thanks!
I get a lot of questions of living on a more high protein diet but haven’t gotten any recently. 
I love the great wall of greek yogurt you have going there.
You act like that isn’t normal to hoard every single Greek yogurt container you consume (I washed them-don’t worry)!
I’m a total carb-head. but for races, I’ve never done the true “carb-load” where you deplete yourself of carbs beforehand, I’ve always just upped the amount of carbs during the taper. with swimming, I was too afraid I couldn’t make it through the workouts without my carbs!
Oh man that baked spaghetti looks so good!
good to hear someone who actually knows how to carb load properly hah. so many people don’t know about (or don’t want to do?) the depletion part! I did some long runs “on empty” while training for the last half I did, it worked really well. And your pasta looks INSANE haha in a good way, totally my favorite pre-race meal ever!
YES! The depletion is (word) the most important part!
I love carbs, so I’m excited to start training again so I am “forced” to eat them all the time!
Who doesn’t love carbs? I could never deplete my body of them, so awesome that you did and it helped you so much!
This is all very interesting & congrats on your fastest time yet on your 5k! I know nothing about doing this kind of thing, since I am only a Zumba Instructor..but I have noticed my body needs way more carbs that most people to keep up with the cardio.
Congrats on your great 5K performance! I am definitely a carb girl, which I think is a reason why I love marathon training so much, since it gives me an excuse to eat tons of carbs. I definitely eat lots of carbs and drink lots of water during my taper weeks and I try to cut down on fiber the day before my race.
Awesome! I didn’t know buckwheat was your favorite pancake
Right now it def is. It will probably change next week LOL
You are so dedicated to your training, take into account every aspect! Awesome!
Thank you!
I don’t normally go into that much depth but this was a more important race for me. 
Nice job girl! Looks like you certainly know what to do when it comes to fueling for your best possible races!
So interesting to read, I really appreciate you writing about this. I am always looking for the best way to train and fuel.
I don’t really run like you and Nikki, however I really swear by the low carb life style. It really makes me feel so much more awake and more energetic. I love it!
OH EM GEE. That pasta!
I think as long as this style of eating works best for you and unless you don’t restrict (unconsciously),it’s absolutely fine! I admire how well you seem to know your body and its needs,seriously,that’s amazing.
I’m Italian and I don’t even pasta. I don’t like it that much. I’d rather have pizza.
And I have been craving carbs! Like I really want bread all the time. What the hell does that mean? Haha.
To me, you’re a true athlete – you don’t exercise to be skinny, you eat to let you do your sport better! The fact that you did Thursday so proves it
And, randomly, I love that you eat greek yogurt in the amounts that I do. The grocery store check out lady always gives me funny looks!