I’m standing at the start line of the North Sea Ultra 111K, my stomach already distended like I’m six months pregnant. My abdomen feels like it’s filled with concrete. I’m angry that this happened again and wonder how I will make it through this race without going through multiple embarrassing situations. If I would make […]
The IBS Runner’s Playbook: When Conventional Wisdom Fails and Individual Testing Wins Read More »
Running with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) taught me more about endurance fueling than I ever imagined it would. IBS is a disorder of the digestive tract, commonly characterized by abdominal discomfort and altered bowel movements. Symptoms vary and can range from loose stools to constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain. When I started running in 2021,
Running with IBS – A Guide to Endurance Fueling With a Compromised Gut Read More »
“Just grab something,” I repeated those words as I approached the aid station. It was 02:17 AM, and I was on a motocross track where I had been running lap after lap for 16 hours already. I grabbed a few dried dates and a handful of peanuts and carried on toward the first steep climb
From Bonking to Winning – Lessons on Ultramarathon Nutrition Read More »
Our gym’s cross trainer and treadmills have a program called “fat burning.” Whenever I instruct a new member in our gym on how to use the machines, I passionately educate them about why most programs they see on the cardio machines are useless, especially the fat-burning program. We are a women ‘s-only gym, and while
Most females I work with as personal trainer want to lose fat and build muscle. And while many still want to avoid “looking like a bodybuilder,” most women who come to me know that building muscle is essential for achieving a lean, athletic look. Like most of us, these women want results fast, so their
5 Habits Women Must Follow If They Want to Lose Fat and Gain Muscle Simultaneously Read More »
Habits shape every area of your life. If you are overweight, pre-diabetic, and at risk for developing heart disease, your habits are counterproductive for good health. On the flip side, if you are fit and healthy, you have implemented habits that support a healthy lifestyle. However, you don’t need to hit the gym every day
5 Non-gym Habits I Practice Daily That Keep Me Fit and Healthy Read More »
Over the past 15 years, I have become an expert on different diet philosophies. It all started when I discovered the life-changing magic of running in 2006. I was a forestry student, and my growing interest in environmental issues made me think more about my lifestyle choices. At the same time, I wanted to provide
High-Carb Diet Experiment Read More »
To successfully finish an ultra, you need to learn how to fuel for the event. Yes, I know that the low-carb runner Michael McKnight has shown that one can run 100 miles without calories. However, I don’t recommend trying to crush your first ultra on zero calories. Instead, you should focus on fueling early and
Energy Gels VS Real Foods for Ultramarathon Running Read More »
I decided to try a vegan keto experiment. Keto has been great for reducing IBS symptoms and getting rid of hypoglycemia episodes. However, I dislike the idea of eating so many animal products. From my many years experimenting with different diets, I learned that I feel emotionally much better on a plant-based diet. However, every
Vegan Keto Experiment Read More »
Us runners love our carbs. And for a good reason. Carbohydrates are the preferred fuel for endurance exercise that is anything above leisurely pace. Many of us runners are also familiar with the dreaded bonk – also known as hitting the wall. Bonking describes the point when your body runs out of available muscle glycogen
Carbohydrate Loading for Ultramarathons Read More »