Life is loaded with contradistinctions…
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Food is fuel, food is meant to be enjoyed.
Cyclists are assholes, I love me a man who likes to ride his bike.
Low-carb diets offer weight loss benefits, low-carb diets don’t work for endurance athletes.
Strong is the new skinny.
Properly fed long-distance runners aren’t guaranteed success, properly fed long-distances runners won’t fail because of poor nutrition.

Per usual on Rest days, my brain is working overtime while my body remains sedentary. Thoughts of food are at the forefront of my mind because the harder I train, the hungrier I always seem to be. It makes perfect sense that the more calories you burn, the more you need to consume in order to function and stay competitive. But you don’t want to eat too much or pack on pounds that will slow you down and make your running shorts too tight.
“The most successful marathoners follow diets that contain around 55% carbohydrates, 30% fats and 15% protein. Forget what you read about low-carb diets.” Hal Higdon
It’s all so confusing to me. Do I heed my body’s demands and desires, or should I only approach eating scientifically and mathematically?
“That does not mean you can’t have an occasional burger with chips and wash it all down with a mug of beer.” Hal Higdon
I know everyone needs to think before they put food in their mouths, and I usually do. But the idea of charting my food intake and breaking things down in to percentages makes my head spin. I’ve tried this technique, but I can’t stick with it. Being so methodical, mentally takes me back to a time when I was obsessed with the food I systematically deprived myself of eating. I was skinny but not strong, although I tricked myself in to believing that my amazing will power made me so.
These days, I try to listen to my body more than my mind at meal and snack times. Sometimes I’m right on. Sometimes I make questionable choices. I believe its OK to enjoy eating but also that moderation is important. I wonder if its possible to be both a foodie and an athlete? I guess I am a work in progress.