How I handle the ‘marathon training makes you starving all of the time’ thing.

But first, a few things that have been happening in our neck of the woods.  

-Brooke thought she was pretty bomb for being the one to ride on the tallest pony at Farm Country.  

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-We also met some baby goats. 

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-We went on some ladybug hunts.

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-Look at us hanging out with all sorts of animals.  Tuesday night we went to my grandma’s house and sat on the back porch.  It felt like a summer night.  

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3 great side-effects of marathon training that I am currently experiencing.

1.  During Brooke’s nap I got out the computer to write emails and I don’t even remember falling asleep.  The falling asleep randomly thing is happening more and more often lately.  Is it time to taper yet?!

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2.  Getting into the shower and dying a little bit when the water hits any areas that have chaffed.  Yesterday I did 10 miles @ 8:21 pace on the treadmill. The gym was a sauna and so I am guessing that is what helped this little chaffing area to come to life on the back of my arm.  Fun stuff.

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3.  I could eat our entire apartment building at any given time.  I don’t think it is just the mileage that makes me crazy hungry during marathon training but the combination of a lot of speedwork and mileage that makes me want to eat all day long.

Nutrition while marathon training is tricky.  There have been times that I lost weight while training for a marathon (especially, when I had that fun giardia thing going on) and times that I have gained weight while running so much because I was always hungry.  Finding what works for you is key but here are a few things that I do to make sure I am getting plenty of calories and nutrients to fuel my training but not eating every cookie/donut/thing in sight.  PS I know I am nowhere near an expert but I get a lot of questions about this so here ya go:

-95% of my meals contain vegetables and usually a lot of them. They are nutrient dense, they are good for my running and they taste delicious when roasted.   I always eat them first when I sit down for a meal so that I make sure I get in some hardcore nutrients first thing and then they don’t get pushed to the side. 

-Fats.  For so many years I bought fat free everything but that is not the case anymore.  I include some sort of fat most meals now.  They add that satiety factor that I do not get from carbohydrates.  It makes my meals feel complete.  I feel like I crave sugar a lot more too when I am not getting enough fat in my diet… does that happen to anybody else?

-Protein. I crave protein daily.  Proteins contribute to a lot of my daily calories and they also help me to feel satisfied when it is part of my meal.  I love to snack on protein rich foods (eggs and beef jerky are two of my favorite snacks lately).  

-I am a big believer in carbohydrates too.  They are our bodies main source of fuel.  Plus, they taste the best;)  I can feel in my running when I am not getting enough carbohydrates and that is no bueno.  Complex carbs also help me to feel more satisfied than the simple ones and so I reach for those more often.  

-I eat a sweet potato a day to continue that orange glow that I am rocking—>  not sure how this plays into this post but whatever.

So, basically… I try to include carbs, fats, veggies and proteins in every meal so that I am not starving 2 minutes after eating a meal.  I notice that when I do, I feel a whole lot better and I am less likely to eat 13 cookies because I am in dire need of some quick energy at 3 pm.   My calories definitely increase when I am marathon training and as you know, I have my fair share of treats but those usually come after a pretty balanced (in my opinion) meal.  

This was a winner yesterday—>  avocado toast with grilled chicken, roasted broccoli (tossed in olive oil and sea salt) and some fruit!  

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Also, it is now my life goal to try each of these 5 New Ways To Top Avocado Toast:

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Most importantly… HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM TODAY!!!!!  Brooke and I love you to pieces!

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How do you handle the marathon/half-marathon hunger beast?  What is your nutrition philosophy?

Favorite source to get in your dietary fat!?! 

-Avocados.  100% avocados. 

Have any animals?!  What?  Names also please!

Something that you are excited about TODAY!

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104 comments

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Favorite fat source, not sure I can pick a favorite, but bacon and sausage are high up there :) Avocados are good too, but that’s the predictable answer I think. Jacking up fats and carbs when training hard and actually going a bit lighter on veggies (they can be micronutrient dense but not so much macro) because they fill me up a bit too much when I really need more dense sources of calories.

We have a huge cat named Tigger :)

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Awe. Fun time petting the animals :) huge horse.!
Happy birthday to your mom.!!
I just eat.. that’s my philosophy, but really, I need to be better about my nutrition. Feels like I’ve gotten worse about it this new year. Avocados yess.!! So good and so healthy.

I have a dog named Gracie.! She’s an Eskipoo . American Eskimo and poodle mix. Hah

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I just try to eat clean, healthy foods. It doesn’t always happen, but I don’t want to banish things like cookies or donuts from my diet either. It just shouldn’t be a focus in my diet! I do alot of avocados and coconut oil.

We have a chocolate lab named Sam. My husbands dad gave the dog to my husband about six weeks before he passed away, so Sam is pretty special.

I am excited for my tempo run after work today!

Happy Birthday to your mom!!

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When I was training for my first marathon last year I don’t think I gained or lost any weight (I don’t weigh myself, but my clothes continued to fit like normal). However, after I finished marathon training I dropped a few lbs. I thought that was weird at first, but I think it’s because I was definitely eating more with higher mileage, and then after the marathon I started focusing on lower mileage but a little more speed, so I ate a less but was still working hard.The theory makes sense to me anyway, in all of it’s unscientific glory! :)

That pony is so tall! When I was a kid I was way too scared to ride the tallest pony! I wanted the smallest one that kept me close to the ground, haha.

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Happy Birthday to your mama! :)

I have a dog named Molly and she is the best.

I am excited for an easy run today…running a 50k on Saturday!

I would love that chicken/avocado meal for breakfast right now!

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I have a very similar training nutrition philosophy to you—I eat lots of vegetables and fruit with a good balance of carbs, protein, and fats. Nuts, nut butters, and chia seeds are my favorite sources of fat! I eat them every day. I also make sure I drink tons of water so I don’t mistake thirst for hunger.
Happy birthday to your mom!!
I have a puggle named Charlie. He thinks he’s my child and acts like a furry toddler.

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Happy birthday to your dearest mom! She looks like such a lovely person!

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I also try to fill up on my veggies first, before digging in to the rest of my meal!

Fave source of fat: almonds. Flavored almonds at that. ;)

Grew up with a golden retriever, who is still kickin it with her white face and wobbly hips. Her name is Gracey and she is the best.

Happy birthday to your momma!!!!

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I drink a glass of chocolate milk pretty much as soon as I finish running! It helps keep the hunger at bay while I cook a good recovery meal. I eat pretty healthy most of the time, but I allow myself to have a treat every night and one day a week where I splurge and eat whatever I want…usually Friday or Saturday.

Today I’m excited that the NCAA basketball tourney is starting! My Butler Bulldogs play this afternoon so I’m taking the afternoon off to watch the game (and eat pizza haha).

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I’ve never trained for a marathon and NOT gained weight. I just end up starving 24/7. It’s only 5lbs or so but I’m hoping next time I train I can curb that!

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I think your meals are perfect. Avocado and grilled chicken are a great combo. I have lost the love for broccoli though so I would add spinach.
Pancakes seem to sneak into my diet when marathon training too.
I have a 6 year old labradoodle named Duncan. He is the cutest dog ever. :)

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This is such a great post! I try to eat intuitively and stop when I’m full. I also love filling up on veggies and plenty of water, and be aware of my hunger signals so I’m not ravenous when I sit down to eat.
Brooke looks super adorable and serious in the first pic! :)
Happy birthday to your mum!

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Happy Birthday HRG’s mom!!!

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Happy birthday to your mom!

For me and running in general, I always try and eat every few hours. I have found that to keep me full for a longer (versus being hungry or starving all the time!)

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I LOVE avocados. I eat one almost every single day. I MUST try that avocado toast, and I’m kind of upset with myself that I’ve never thought of it before. I’ve done something similar with naan bread, cheese and chicken, though.

I’m super excited for the possibility of some new beginnings happening today!

Hope your mom has a wonderful birthday!

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I always gain weight during marathon training. I stay hungry!
100% avocados!!
2 dogs: Charlotte and Caroline!
Exciting: we’re celebrating my friends 60th birthday with a run and breakfast!!!

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I love your suggestion for how to handle workout/marathon training hunger. I’ve never trained for a big race, but whenever I amp up my workouts, I’m forever starving! I’ll have to try your suggestion!

My favorite sources to get my dietary fat are avocados and chocolate ice cream! ;)

Happy birthday to your Mom!

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Not gonna lie… I don’t eat a ton of fat. But when I do it’s nuts, avocados, or hummus :)

Something I’m looking forward to today is spin and BodyPump class!

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Happy birthday, HRGMom!

My 5 year old pup, Abbey. We think she’s a beagle-terrier mix of some sort, but we’re not sure, since we found her in a cornfield when she was 2-3 months old… it will remain a mystery!

Fun fact: Abbey got kicked out of “Puppy Daycare” when she was around a year old because of her escape skillz.

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Loading up on fruits, veggies and plenty of water always helps me. I also love sweet potatoes…yes for that orange glow!

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Avocados and nut butter are my main sources of fat. Can’t stop, won’t stop eating those! I eat a lot of sweet potatoes and I agree, it keeps a natural glow ;)

I have a dog at home (I’m at college) and he’s my favorite. He’s a cockapoo named Rocco.

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I also eat my veggies first- this was a habit that started back when I was a kid and didn’t like vegetables, but knew I had to eat them so I got it over with first. But now I love them but I still eat them first to make sure I don’t get full before I get to them:) Happy birthday to your mom!

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Do you ever train twice a day?

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I give myself endless amounts of fruits and veggies… whenever I want to eat, then I do.

I use nut-butters as my fat.. mostly in the form of puppy chow.

I have a fish named Othello.

I am excited that… after living in Chicago my whole life… I will be moving to Seattle, Washington for the next two years. I know no one there, and I am pretty freaked out, but I am excited to go back to grad school and take a 2 year Leave of Absence from teaching high school.

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Chaffing is the WORST. I don’t know how you run in shorts all the time because my legs ALWAYS chafe in them! Last week I didn’t realize how bad it had gotten, and when I got home, I realized my thighs were bleeding! Back to capris it is…

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I am excited that my 8 week old daughter, Piper, slept through my morning treadmill session!

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I should really get more into nutrition. I like eating healthy food and eat a normal amount, but I don’t track anything (calories, carbs, fats, etc) so I have no clue if I’m getting enough. I’m reading a book about marathon training to learn more about nutrition, so hopefully that’ll help out my training!

I have the sweetest dog in the world. Her name is Selma, and she’s a lab/beagle mix. I actually volunteer at an animal shelter, and as soon as she came in I knew she was the perfect dog for me! She’s been by my side ever since, and I love her more than anything in the world! (Don’t tell my fiance)

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I’m going to IKEA today. Only two days left of March Break, which isn’t exciting but the IKEA trip is!

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I find that eating extra in the morning helps control my appetite throughout the day but I am still ready for a big meal every time I am hungry! Tons of vegetables, lots of peanut butter and avocado and of course, loads of sweet potatoes, sometimes two a day…Great avocado combo is mash it up with chick peas on cinnamon raisin Ezekiel toast. Love it!

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For fats, I also love avocados. Second choice is fish, but I’m too lazy to prep it sometimes, so Chia seeds are cool, too.

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Ha, that happens to me all the time, hangin out, typing on the computer and next thing you know I’m asleep at the counter.
Oh the tireds. So no fun.
And the chafing…wow. I think everyone can feel it when we read the word. Pretty universal pain.

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I have a dog maned Payton :)
I pretty much everything…dairy, carbs, fats, meat, and yes sweets. I kinda try to go with 80/20. 80% healthy 20% not so much. I know a lot of people go dairy free or meat free or not many carbs….it doesn’t work for me so I just go for balance :).
Exciting today….MARCH MADNESS!!!!!

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yay for March Madness!!

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Happy birthday MomHRG! I remember when I was half marathon training that I would get so much hungrier during the day– I had to start bringing in 10am snacks to work so that I wouldn’t get hangry between breakfast and lunch, haha!

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I eat salads pretty much every day to get my veggies in, and have chicken and and egg on top. I listen to my body and it pretty much tells me what I need. I don’t avoid the sweets, because life is too short :)
I’m excited because today I nailed my interval workout, even though I was pretty tired from staying up too late last night!

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Happy birthday to your sweet mom! I always eat my veggies first, too, which helps take the edge off my ravenous hunger– haha. Your avocado toast and broccoli looks like the perfect meal!

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Body Glide….everywhere. ;-)

Love Avocados but dislike how quickly they brown….I saw on YouTube recently that if you store half an avocado in a container with bits of an onion it browns MUCH less…now, I just have to have an onion around I guess. ;-(

1 dog~Rudy
2 cats~ Dora and Jackie (after Jackie Robinson)

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I love avocados! Especially with tortilla chips. We have a German shepherd/Great Dane mix named Titus. He’s not quite one and he’s already a beast. Huge! A vet told us he will be probably between 120-150lb! He’s supposed to eventually be my running patner, lol, that’s one reason we got him. I’ll look pretty silly running next to a horse…I’m only 5’2″ (I think it will be more of a slow trot for him. Today I’m looking forward to sliding on my new running shoes I got for my bday yesterday ;)

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I’m trying to improve my 5k time right now, so I’m not really running high mileage, but lately I have been starving all the time! Maybe it is the increased amount of speed work? That burns more calories than steady state running, right?

Avocado with feta is a delicious combination. Try it soon, you will not be disappointed!

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Avocados and almond butter are my favorite fats…unless dark chocolate counts, too!

I always have trouble with nutrition while marathon training. I am starving all the time, and usually end up losing weight. I find that it helps to carry apples with me everywhere I go, so that I have a healthy snack on hand. I also try to include lots of veggies at every meal. Eggs are one of my favorite snacks, too.

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Happy Birthday, Mama of Janae!

I’m really trying to be a LAURitarian. Eat whatever I want and not have to explain myself. *insert girl puffing her hair emoji* I definitely love nut butters. I need some sort of butter each and every day. I have a furry son, Elmo. Brooke would love him! He’s a three year old Cavapoo :D

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As you know, I don’t marathon train–just run a few times per week + swim, cycle, yoga & weights. That being said, I have a very healthy appetite so I am kind of always eating. My goal is variety, balance, moderation (can you tell I have a degree in Nutrition?). What you are doing is perfect. Excellent balance w/ healthy meals followed by treats (YOLO). Thank you for a good example!

My favorite source of dietary fat = nut butters.

We have a red lab named Macy.

Most excited that today is my “Friday” as we head to Winter Park for a long weekend. YAY.

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Hooray for Wild Kingdom day!

“Just Do It” and “Just Eat” are synonymous in my world.:)

Avocados, for sure!

My Siberian Husky, Kayla is my for real, real life BFF, forever and always!

TODAY is the end of state testing at my school, and I can finally teach P.E. in the gym again, rather than going into the classroom. Oooooooo!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HRG MOM!

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I try to add vegetables to every meal too! I usually cover them in cheese, which can’t be healthy, but marathon training makes me soooo hungry!

Favorite fat source – CHEEESE

Dixie Belle is my 3 year old redbone coonhound! She’s my marathon training partner and the inspiration for my blog! She’s so sweet and such a great runner.

Today I’m excited about my run after work!!

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I have a redbone too!!! She’s 9 and I don’t run with her anymore because of her arthritis but she was a joy to run with! I need to check our your blog! :)

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They are such great dogs!! Dixie is definitely a sprinter! I can see how that might cause some health problems later in life… but for right now she loves every single run :)

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Dixie is beautiful!! I have pointer that is my running partner! She runs with me anytime of the day or night!

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I lost weight during the training for my first half and I didn’t realize it until I had my annual physical. I almost flipped when I saw the scale and said I needed those pounds back (all four of them)! My doctor’s a runner so she gets it. It really was just a matter of trial and error to figure out how to replenish all those calories in a healthy manner.

And I have one cat, Allie. She loves to help me foam roll by parking herself in front of the roller.

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Ohh I want that cheesy avocado toast!!

Baby goats! <3 The adorableness!

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I love eating whole eggs and mixing that with veggies and sweet potatoes. Sounds like you’ve got a good handle on your nutrition. Too bad about the chafing though!

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what’s your take on dairy? i personally love it — ice cream especially :) and definitely eat a lot of yogurt etc. during training. BUT, i never eat too much dairy the night or morning before a big run.

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I’m about to head off to school, today, which is always exciting. :) I look forward to seeing my kiddos every weekday morning! Love this post on nutrition; I’m so glad that low-fat, low-carb craze seems to be dying down a little.

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We’ve got a dog named Rudy. He is the absolute best! Cracks me up every day.

Ouch, that chafing looks bad! I usually will chafe near my armpit when it starts getting warm out. It’s like my arms forget what it feels like to have a tank top on.

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Brooke is TOO cool for school! :)

Favorite fats are definitely avocado and nut butters, yum yum.

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Happy birthday to your mom!!

We have a cat named Sassy.

I love nuts and nut butters, yum!

I am tapering now for my 3rd marathon and once again, I have gained weight. It makes me so sad. All this work, and yet I gain?! Makes me feel like maybe I should quit marathons and stick to shorter distances. I don’t know…..

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That avocado toast looks delish!

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So who took the picture while you were sleeping? :-DDDDD

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Avocados are definitely my favourite and more recently – cheese. It’s just so damn good here in Europe and my lactose-intolerant self seems to be giving me a free pass up unti last week. My husband and I *might* have caught Giardia or something similar anyway. We’ve been both been down for about 2 weeks which has put a real damper on our trip. Hopefully the worst of it is over, though, and our appetites come back sooner rather than later!

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When I was pregnant with my daughter, I kept measuring small for dates and had to get ultrasounds done quite frequently. Everything looked normal; she was just small. So my Ob/Gyn told me to eat an avocado a day to get as much healthy fats into my body as possible. True story! She was born 3 weeks early at 6lb, so a healthy weight for being early.

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I got pretty hungry during my marathon training, but when the taper hit and my mileage decreased, my hunger leveled out.

I LOVE almond butter! I get most of my fats from nut butters, nuts & eggs.

I am excited today because I THINK I am on the mend from a stomach virus and MAY be able to start thinking about actually running a marathon this weekend:) I am going to go on a short run today to see how I do!

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AVOCADOS all the way!! Just the best. I wish I had a tree in my yard. I have a cat named Skyler and a dog named Sienna :)

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What we would do without avocados?!! LOVE
When I am in a training cycle, it’s all about eating small meals often and tons of hydration!
We had a beta fish named Lucas, but he has gone to fish heaven :(

I’m just happy about a new day!! Nothing super exciting on tap, but it rained here last night and the air smells so good :)

Have an awesome day!

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Haha I eat a sweet potato a day too – my doctor has me eating paleo right now for health reasons but to get enough carbs I eat ALL THE SWEET POTATOES!

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I handle marathon hunger by gaining five pounds and feeling bad about myself. Every time. Wish there was a cure for the constant hunger or the negative self talk or both!

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I think my favorite fat source is cheese. I just love it and can’t stay away from it! That and almonds! I can’t get enough of those two and cheese sticks/cottage cheese and almonds go really well together for a quick little snack!

I love avacadoes, too. I was really bummed yesterday when I went grocery shopping and they didn’t have any avacadoes…so strange!

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My favorite fat hands down is nut butter. I always have four or five jars in my pantry at any given time and all different brands too because I love the all. Variety is the spice of life!

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I looooove avocado toast! Thanks for the new ideas – day made!!

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I eat a lot of protein – if not, I feel like I’ve just hit a brick wall. I also use full fat dairy now — plus all the additives in non-fat just icks me out. It’s finally warmed up here in Ohio and I have been running outside every day this week and I have already noticed that I just want to eat all the time :) I love avacadoes and eat them all the time.

Looking forward to the end of the day because it’s my “friday” today — I am taking some vacation time and making it a long weekend. Running a 5K on Saturday…..

Two dogs Hava (beagle mix) and Tzeitel (aussie mix) both are rescue dogs and the loves of my life. And their names are from Fiddler on the Rood — my husband chose them.

Hope your Mom had an awesome birthday !

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Eating healthy during training is my biggest downfall – I can’t get myself to do it consistently – it always feels impossible. I’m always so impressed with your eating. I definitely don’t get enough vegetables in even though I try!

I have two orangey cats – Filutek (long haired and cream colored) and Oliver (short haired and orange tabby) – and a dog – Boudreaux – who is a Cattahoulah mix that belongs to the BF.

One of my good friends is in town today and I’m excited to meet up with her for a drink after work!

Fave source of fat – IDK does Chipotle count? I do love their guac…

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I basically eat an avocado a day. They are just TOO GOOD!!! Also, Brooke’s face in the first picture- priceless.

xo

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First, Happy Birthday to your mom!!
That avo toast looks so yummy! I’m currently obsessed with avocado…I put it in absolutely everything haha!
Right now I’m still recovering from stress fractures in my tibias…It’s now month 3 and some change since I was last diagnosed and I am so antsy to get back to running!
When did you start to run again after you were injured?? I honestly need to get back to running soon- I’m going insane!
P.S. I have 2 dogs and a cat :) A cocker spaniel named Boo, a mini dachshund named Moose, and a black cat named Daisy!

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I love avocados, they get such a bad rap for their fat, but its good fat! I try to eat avo and almonds frequently to get those good brain fats.

I am super excited to have my bookclub girls over for brinner tonight, pancakes, bacon, eggs and mimosas – yum!

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Love your posts, I read them all. Yesterday’s struck a nerve with me regarding you getting over your divorce. I’m in the midst of a personal crisis, dealing with the death of my dad and a broken relationship with my girlfriend. I’m having difficulty getting motivated for anything. Running was my outlet (4 marathons and 15 halfs in the last 3 years) but even that now is painful, as my ex-gf was my running partner as well. I can’t get the thoughts of our relationship out of my head now for the past month, they are there 24/7. She’s moved on so although I want to talk to her I know it’s not the right thing to do. She was the love of my life and I blew it. I don’t know how i’ll ever get over her, she was perfect for me. I tried getting her back just a few weeks ago and she informed me that she had met someone and they got engaged. The depths of my depression and anxiety got too much for me so I finally went to see a doctor who prescribed some anti anxiety and anti depression medications. The times i’ve been able to get myself to go for a run have just been listless and without energy. I’m really scared to be honest. I’ve exhausted my group of close friends who are kind and lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on, but i’m close to being at wits end. I’m hoping the medication takes hold soon and doesn’t have too many side effects. Sorry to bring this up here but I thought maybe some of the running women on this site might have some suggestions. When I was with my GF (in Iowa) we ran with a running group and I made some good friends there. However, i’ve yet to find one here that approaches the camaraderie that I had with that group. It’s lonely to run by myself now and to be honest it’s not helping me. Anyway, thanks to anyone out there on HRG’s blog who is listening, it helps to be able to vent to fellow runners.

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My thoughts and prayers are with you Scott.

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One foot in front of the other Scott. You can do this.

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virtual hug and prayers. each day is a new day, and there is always at least one good thing that happens each day, even if it’s a hot shower or getting to work safely. one little light turns into many eventually.

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Thank you so much for your replies and prayers. It’s been a challenging experience to say the least. It helps to have both “physical” support and “virtual” support from people on HRG. I know I can get through this but it will take time. God bless all of you.

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My first marathon I definitely ate second lunch a LOT, usually some sort of fruit and soup!

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I usually notice that I either gain a lb or two from the muscle in my legs (and eating more) or lose weight- goes back and forth. i dont really have a set food regimen- a month before the marathon, however- i usualyl try to be a little more strict about limiting sugar and uncessary foods and try to be healthier. i eat healthy in general though- i “think” I have a good balance of the essentials.

Pb is my favorite source of fat!! and guac/avocado.

I have a ruby cavalier spaniel named Riley! she is my bestie

I am excited to go to a wine bar with my boyfriend tonight- he is in the navy so we dont live together… he has been in town for two weeks but this week went to see friends/family while i worked. so tonight he is coming back up and we are going to have a relaxing night together :)

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Avo’s are where it’s at! Nut butters are a close second.

We do not currently have animals…but my 6 year old son has already picked out names for when we do get them: Ruffles (Dog), Lucy (Cat), and my favorite one of all Cat Stevens. I may get a cat just so I can give it that name. Oh and my husband insists that we have a dog named Ruprecht (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels).

I am excited about my family trip to the mountains exactly one week from TODAY!

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Once I start logging more miles, I have to eat pretty blandly or my stomach will freak out mid run. Before longer runs I will have to eat baked or grilled chicken and a sweet potato. Basically just the food without any sauces or things. Once I ate Chipotle the night before a run and found myself hiding in the bushes haha.

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I try to eat balanced: vegetables, whole grains, sweet potatoes & blue potatoes for carbs. Lean protein and fats. I get my fat from avocados, nuts, olive oil, coconut oil and grass-fed butter. Without fat you don’t process fat soluble vitamins and when you don’t get proper nutrients you crave sugar. I try not to eat a lot of sugar because once I have it I want more.

I have a dog, Missy, and a cat, Saorsie. Missy is 11 and Saorsie is 5. (Saorsie means freedom. She lived in Petco for months so I thought the name was appropriate).

Oddly, I am excited to be going to Maryland next week. It’s not really a vacation, my husband has an app’t at Johns Hopkins. We’re taking the dog and his parents are also coming along. After a year and 1/2 of docs I’m hoping someone can figure out what the heck he has.

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yay for spring nights that feel like summer!

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To handle the hunger beast, I make sure to drink plenty of water (because I often mistake thirsty for hungry!) and then eat when I’m hungry. The key is I try to add as many nutritious foods as possible to my plate and go from there – like you said, veggies with pretty much everything I eat, or at least some fruit :) Avocado on toast – plus a dash of salt – is THE BEST!

We have a border collie named “Sully”! He’s my running partner, especially now that I’m pregnant and slow – he likes the slower pace :)

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Thanks for posting your nutrition plan/ habits- it’s always helpful to see how others handle the balance of nutrition needs during training cycles.  I am big on snacking/ eating smaller meals, because I’d rather be able to eat every two hours than eat a giant meal and feel like I have to wait 4 hrs to eat again! I eat healthy foods most of the time but I love chocolate and sweets/ late night (uh, 8:30) snack and make some room for them in my life every day.

Dietary fat source – nut butters/ nuts/ dairy/ olive oil in dressings and marinades. I love avocado but don’t buy them all that often for some reason.

Animals- one male betta named Brittany (kids named him), and a 12-year old black lab named Tonka.

Today, I am excited that yesterday is over! I had a big presentation that I was stressing over… glad to have it done and off the brain.

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I am excited about today because I get to share my birthday was some as lovely and wonderful as your Mama!! Happy Birthday, HRG’s Mama!!

I’m with you – love, love, love avocados!

Also, Janae – what kind of belly belt/support did you use to run with while pregnant? I know you posted about it, but I can’t seem to find the brand or info. I’m entering week 29 with my first and really in need of something supportive!!

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I find during marathon training, I track my food which is something I do not do during off season. This means I can eat whenever I am hungry, but knowing I am tracking it ensures that I make sure I get the most nutritional bang for my buck and a host of extra sweets and fillers don’t sneak in there. It also helps me make sure I am eating enough carbs.

It is just what works for me!

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I have THE most ridiculous dog ever…ridiculously cute with a huge awesome personality. She, Abby, is a standard long haired dachshund (wiener dog)…sometimes I think people read my blog for the Abby bits more than stuff about me! LOL

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Showers after chafing are the WORST! Ouch! I feel your pain, girlie!

A big happy happy birthday, HRG mom! :)

And…

I handle my hunger beast by….eating ;)

I have a 4 year old Weimaraner named Smokey. He’s my little crazy baby!

I am excited about my new phone today!

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I have a 13 year old black cat named Smokey. He was my Mother’s cat and when she passed I inherited him.

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I am training for my first marathon right now. I keep finding myself very hungry and keep grabbing crap. I need to get this under control so that I have fuel for those long runs and don’t gain weight during this training! Thanks for the tips!

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Happy birthday, Mom!! Your family seems so wonderful. :)

I try and make sure my hunger really isn’t thirst in disguise. I will try and drink a glass of water and if I’m still aching for something to eat after 10 minutes, I will have something. Also, protein seems to be a good way for me to fuel-up!

Favorite fat source: peanut butter.

I wish I had a cat. If I had a cat, I would name it Dum-Dum.

I am excited for a job interview today at 1:30. They have brought me in a couple times already, and I feel I am “right” for this position. I hope this is the last interview; I hope I nail it; I hope I get an offer! :)

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Avocados are a great plan! As are almonds, and green smoothies (kale/ spinach). I also find that staying hydrated helps curb the sensation of hungry.

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I wish I liked avocados.

4 dogs- 2 german shepherds (Bentley and Scotty), 2 long haired mini dachshunds (Paisley and Kinley). They all live in the house. It is a zoo :)

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And now I want to eat avocado toast. Bad. And I just finished my last avocado yesterday. I go to the store way too much. Why is food so amazing? And why do I have cravings like a pregnant lady? And why do I eat like I am marathon training, but I am not? These are life’s greatest questions, no?

P.S. I miss you. Can we hang out next week? Pretty please?

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I can’t stand avocados. I taught myself to tolerate them because they are such a good source of fat but then I ate a bit of a spoiled one last summer – I can barely look at them after dry heaving for 10 minutes. :( I get my fats from olive oil, coconut oil, nuts and butter.

I don’t have any animals now but will be getting a cat as soon as I move to someplace that allows pets. Sometimes I think I want a dog but I am allergic so it isn’t likely I’ll ever get one, even though I have a name picked out.

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I like to try to eat very similarly to what you have suggested. Vegetables are the mainstay of my meals, and I have gotten better at including them even at breakfast. I’m not doing the level of training you are (crazy girl in a totally jealous kind of way!), so I focus on having my carbs in the morning, and cutting back later in the day. It works for me. And avocado all the way. With some raw nuts now and then too.

We have a baby, I mean puppy, called Angus. Our world revolves around him. Note that he is over 4 years old – a Skye Terrier – but will always be a ‘puppy’ to me. We also have two goldfish, but I’m not really attached to them – I just feed them to make sure they don’t die because I’d feel neglectful, not because I’d be sad. Does that make me a horrible person??

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Favorite fat: does peanut butter count? gosh I hope so, because it’s amazing! :)
Pets: 2 cats Bella, 10 year old domestic short hair & Charlie 2 year old domestic short hair. And recently added to the fam a blue beta fish named blueberry! haha

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I have an amazing Beagle, Harley! Whether I have been gone for 5 days or 5 minutes she is always so happy to see me. True story, I took her on a run with me and according to my garmin her pace is 6:30, mine is not! Excited to finally be home from a long business trip and sleep in my own bed and cook my own food. Also excited about doing the SoCal Warrior Dash this weekend. Friends, running and getting to do some crazy obstacles equals heaven for me! I love salads and could eat them all the time, have to make sure to get enough protein and carbs – a struggle for me, the protein more than the carbs!!

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I am not a fan of avocados at all. I have been eating a lot of eggs…

Happy Birthday to Brooke’s Grandma!

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I so need to get on the sweet potato kick that you are on! They always look so good :) And avocados are the bomb! Happy Birthday to your mom!!!

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Happy birthday to your mom!

I love avocado toast too, mmm so good!

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I love this post! I find eating during marathon training to be one heck of a balancing act. I feel like I SHOULD be eating lots of healthy foods to fuel my training, but at the same time, I feel 100% not guilty about eating anything and everything that sounds good to me at the moment!

But what’s even HARDER for me is learning how to undo this mental shift once training is over. Does anyone else have a hard time with that? I find that even though I’m running less, my brain still thinks I’m allowed to eat whatever I want. Clearly I have a discipline problem. :)

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And Candy! Can’t forget the candy.

Thanks for this post. I always wondered how you balanced your meals. Balance seems like the best approach!

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