Nutrition is a crucial factor for ultra runners.
If you’re an ultra runner looking to take your performance to the next level, nutrition is an important part of your training plan. Whether you are gearing up for a long-distance run or tackling a new challenge, making sure that you get all of the right nutrients can be key in helping you achieve success. It’s essential to understand not just what types of food and drinks give your body energy but also how those nutritional needs change depending on how intense your running routine is.
To prevent bonking or hitting the wall, it’s important to consume a balanced mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Carbohydrates provide a quick source of energy, while fats are essential for longer-lasting endurance. Protein is important for muscle repair and recovery. Hydration is also critical, as dehydration can lead to cramping and fatigue. Electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, are necessary for proper hydration and should be replenished regularly during a race.
In this Special Feature, we talk to various nutrition experts, test and review different nutritional products and discuss fuelling strategies so you can make sure that you meet your personal nutritional needs while training and taking on ultra marathons!
What nutrition is right for me?
Nutrition is fuel. It’s about eating a balanced diet that provides the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy and function optimally. Ultrarunning and other endurance sports demand...
ERDINGER Alkoholfrei Competition: Win 1 of 5 cases to be found!
You’ve smashed your PB and training is going fantastic! But you need to keep hydrated, and not just with water...
Nutrition Toolkit
Our team has delved into the subject of nutrition, speaking to a number of experts with the aim to provide ultra runners with the ultimate toolkit, inspiration and advice during running. Whether you’re new to ultra running or an experienced runner, you’ll be sure to learn something new and valuable.
ERDINGER Alkoholfrei: ‘The benefits of isotonic drinks’
After an intensive run session you can feel exhausted. You’ve smashed your workout, but now your carbohydrate stores are empty;...
It’s all in your Gut
Elite Athletes work consistently daily to achieve their best performance possible. From perfecting every little movement and skill in the...
Rowan Wood: Preparing for an Ultra
By Rowan Wood Preparing for an ultra is simple, right? You put the miles in, then turn up on race...
Athlete Test & Reviews
Finding the right nutritional products to support your training and performance can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve partnered with some great brands to test and review a variety of nutritional products. They have been put through their paces in real-world training and race scenarios, and evaluated everything from taste and texture to effectiveness.
Rawvelo – Test and Review
Rawvelo focus on making endurance sports nutrition that’s better for you and for the planet and boy do they back...
Protein Rebel Maple Ignite Gel – Test and Review
When looking at nutrition for my long runs, I always look for something on the natural side. I have always...
Mountain Fuel Nutrition Review – Jez Willis
In this series of articles for Ultra runner magazine I plan to highlight to you the runner what a number...
Listen to our Nutrition Podcast
We delved into the subject of nutrition with Sports Dietician Renee McGregor. She has vast experience in performance nutrition across the Olympics, Paralympics and Commonwealth Games.