Nick Symmonds: Nutrition
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #6)
Posted February 11th, 2008 at 2:30 PM by Nick Symmonds
Section: News & Results, Nutrition, Track & Field, Elite Athlete Blogs, Nick Symmonds
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It’s Sunday morning here in Eugene which means I have a long run to complete. During my base phase I will run as far as 14 miles for my weekly long runs and though i know these training sessions are extremely important, I don’t really look forward to them. That is why I generally procrastinate all day and usually head out in the afternoons. This allows me to actually enjoy a relaxed morning with a large, calorie rich breakfast.
Today, as I was fixing my usual Sunday morning, pre-run meal, I got to thinking about what I eat. Some of the most common questions I get about my training are in regards to nutrition. There are some athletes who are a bit neurotic about what they eat, and I guess I would have to say that I am not one of them.
Right now I’m digesting a large serving of bacon and eggs washed down with orange juice and might be nursing a bit of a hangover.
Growing up my mom always said, “Good In, Good Out” as she served us well balanced meals made from local, organic produce. I try to keep that in mind when Im out shopping and I try to get my necessary servings of fruits and veggies. I avoid fast-food for the most part (though I love grilled stuffed burritos) and for a 24 year old guy I drink very little (a few beers on Saturday nights). So, at the end of the day I think I eat pretty well.
I generally get all my calories in two meals because we workout in the mornings. Ill have a small bowl of Malt O Meal most days before I run, but come home starving and my roommates and I usually fix large breakfasts with a lot of coffee or tea on the side. For dinners our team eats out a lot; burgers, Thai food, Mexican and it seems everyone usually drinks water with their meals.
I almost never drink soda, except for Dr. Pepper which is probably the greatest drink ever made. At the end of the day I have usually consumed some 4000 calories and finished off well over a gallon of liquids (water, Gatorade, milk, juice).
I don’t fret about what I have or have not ingested and general live my life according to the saying, “If the furnace is hot enough it will burn anything!”
-Nick
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Tags: athlete nutrition, eating, elite athlete blog, elite athlete blog series, elite athlete nutrition, long run, Nick Symmonds, nutrition, olympic hopeful, professional running blog, race prep, thefinalsprint.com elite athlete blog series, track and field, training
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The Final Sprint
Dr. Pepper–yes.
But when you mentioned that you consume around a gallon of liquid, I was disappointed. You used to take down a gallon in nothing flat during US history class.
Step it up, yo.
February 20th, 2008 at 2:28 amOh, and congrats on the real racing and stuff.