
How seriously should you take your nutrition when running a half marathon?
20 January 2025
For a more personalised approach toward nutrient timing around your training and event, book a dietary consultation with a nutritional expert at our official Health, Wellness and Fitness Partner, SSISA here. Alternatively, unlock your peak performance with an online course, a comprehensive introduction to Sports Nutrition, here.
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A half marathon is short, is there a need for a proper nutrition strategy? The answer is, yes. The benefits of a good nutrition strategy go beyond merely providing sufficient fuel on the day. Good strategies implemented around training and competition can help to:
- Minimise fatigue, helping with good performance during training sessions and on race day.
- Optimise recovery, ensuring you are ready for your next training session or multi-stage event.
- Help you to achieve your optimal body composition so that you can feel most comfortable when running.
- Prevent nutrient deficiencies such as iron and Vitamin B12 deficiencies, particularly in individuals following restrictive diets such as plant-based diets, gluten-free diets, or dairy-free diets. Nutrient deficiencies can contribute to fatigue and difficulty recovering between sessions.
- Boost your immune system. A busy training schedule with inadequate fueling can harm or weaken your immune system.
- Help with concentration and focus while running so that you can achieve your best.
- Prevent gut issues: Even half marathon runners experience symptoms such as nausea, reflux, stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting therefore optimising your fueling strategy in advance can prevent these issues.
If you want to run your best half marathon, put time into your nutrition strategies and fuel well around training to reap the benefits.