![\"running](\"http:\/\/www.stormysweitzer.com\/recipes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/running-snacks-1-595x893.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThough I\u2019ve been out of a routine the last couple of months, I usually run pretty regularly.\u00a0 In fact, I am planning to run in a half marathon this Saturday in a place called Monte Cristo.\u00a0 The last time I was there, I ran into a moose and her baby.<\/p>\n
While the thought of seeing wildlife again excites me, I\u2019m not at all excited about running in this event.\u00a0 This is probably because when you don\u2019t train consistently, your body doesn\u2019t appreciate the strain.<\/p>\n
The friends I run with our often curious about my eating habits. . .how I get enough energy before the event and how I recovered afterwards.<\/p>\n
What I\u2019ve found, is that eating a good balance of starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes, beets, and plantains, along with healthy proteins, fats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables over the long-term helps me perform better in the short term.<\/p>\n
In the days before an event I make sure to drink pumpkin and almond butter smoothies for breakfast.\u00a0 They are delicious and have a good mix of starch and fat.\u00a0 Generally, though, I try to eat pretty normally\u2026 basically eating what I would eat anyway.<\/p>\n
On the morning of an event, it is my breakfast ritual to eat a banana covered in almond butter a couple of hours before the start time.\u00a0 I also carry a mug of coffee with coconut milk and a hard-boiled egg to eat 45 minutes beforehand, typically while waiting at the starting point.<\/p>\n
Sugars are still needed for energy during the event. I stuff my pockets with dried fruit and crystallized ginger (occasionally Shot Bloks \u2013 neither of which are not strictly Paleo, but the sugars keep me going if I\u2019m running for more than 2 hours). \u00a0Mangoes are my favorite dried fruit \u2013 I get the natural kind in the bulk health-food section at my local store. \u00a0Crystallized ginger is spicy, a great energizer and source of glucose; I pick up a small-batch variety at a local specialty shop, but Reed\u2019s brand of ginger chews are a decent alternative- they use raw cane sugar instead of processed.<\/p>\n
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Along the way, most event organizers offer snacks.\u00a0 Trail events seem to have the best selection, with salty chips, sometimes raw potatoes, and fresh fruit.\u00a0 Most marathons, though, offer Gatorade or an equivalent, gels, and candy.\u00a0 I tend to steer clear of these.<\/p>\n
Water is my drink of choice; only if\u00a0support is low to minimal, do I bring my own water. \u00a0A cup every 2-3 miles seems to work for me.<\/p>\n
I have never been a fan of electrolyte drinks \u2013 the aftertaste is horrible to me \u2013 as a means of balancing out sodium loss during sweating.\u00a0 Going without them has not been a sacrifice, but it has required some advance preparation.\u00a0 For example, I bring electrolyte tables that I can swallow with my water and have also started bringing a couple of salt tablets with me on longer trail runs after cramped toes had me hobbled on a peak and dependent on the kindness of strangers. \u00a0The salt tablets they shared with me uncurled my toes and got me back on the trail. \u00a0Now, I take one per hour when I have water available to me.<\/p>\n
![\"Plantain](\"http:\/\/www.stormysweitzer.com\/recipes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/Plantain-and-Sweet-Potato-Chips.jpg\")
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Typically, I run events that are small enough that I can easily go back to my car after the event is over.\u00a0 This allows me to take a small cooler or bag filled with recovery foods. \u00a0Some of my favorites are baked sweet potatoes, plantain chips, cooked white rice (technically a neutral grain, but helpful for recovery), and dried fruit or applesauce, which are full of simple sugars and starches for muscle recovery.\u00a0 If I\u2019m not able to get to my car, I try to go for whatever fresh fruit is offered by the event organizers.\u00a0 And I won\u2019t turn down a bowl of chili or bison stew.<\/p>\n
Because I usually participate in these events with friends away from home, a post-event meal 3-4 hours afterwards is part of the fun.<\/p>\n
When I\u2019m in a hurry, I pick plantain chips up at the grocery store.\u00a0 But, nothing beats homemade.\u00a0 While making plantain chips, you can also make root vegetable chips out of sweet potatoes, carrots, and beets.<\/p>\n
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. \u00a0Lightly grease a heavy baking sheet.<\/p>\n
![\"1.](\"http:\/\/www.stormysweitzer.com\/recipes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/1.-Raw-green-plantains.jpg\")
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Peel 2 plantains.<\/p>\n
![\"2.](\"http:\/\/www.stormysweitzer.com\/recipes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/2.-Sliced-plantains.jpg\")
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Slice evenly into 1\/8\u2033 slices \u2013 either across for medallion shapes or diagonally for longer chips. \u00a0Be as consistent as you can with the thickness of they will cook at different rates.<\/p>\n
![\"3.](\"http:\/\/www.stormysweitzer.com\/recipes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/3.-Spiced-plantains.jpg\")
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Toss the plantain slices in a bowl with 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1\/2 tsp salt, and optional 1\/4 tsp chile powder and\/or 1\/4 tsp garlic powder.<\/p>\n
![\"4.](\"http:\/\/www.stormysweitzer.com\/recipes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/4.-Plantains-ready-to-be-roasted.jpg\")
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Place the plantain slices evenly on the baking sheet and roast for ~15-20 minutes.<\/p>\n
Cook until golden brown and crispy \u2013 check the oven as you get closer to the 15-minute mark so they don\u2019t burn. \u00a0Don\u2019t under cook \u2013 you want them to be crunchy, not soggy.<\/p>\n
![\"6.](\"http:\/\/www.stormysweitzer.com\/recipes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/6.-Bowl-of-plantain-chips.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Allow the plantain chips to cool before storing them in a resealable plastic bag to eat after your run.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Though I\u2019ve been out of a routine the last couple of months, I usually run pretty regularly.\u00a0 In fact, I am planning to run in a half marathon this Saturday in a place called Monte Cristo.\u00a0 The last time I was there, I ran into a moose and her baby. While the thought of seeing… <\/p>\n