The Millennium Runner: Substance & Style
- By Mario Fraioli
- Published Jun. 28, 2011
- Updated Mar. 15, 2012 at 5:10 PM UTC
SPORTS NUTRITION
hat could possibly be more confusing than sports nutrition? From the vegan diet of ultrarunner Scott Jurek to the meat-and-fish laden Paleo diet advocated by the likes of triathlon coach and author Joe Friel, what’s a runner to do? The newly infamous marathoner Joe D’Amico responded to all the conflicting information by going truly old school: He fueled his 30-day buildup for the 2011 L.A. Marathon with an ultra-strict diet of McDonald’s. Cokes, fries, burgers and Egg McMuffins included.
Most of today’s runners, however, have been turned on to the “clean” diet, eating only fresh, unprocessed whole foods. While exercise clearly can help deter disease, there’s nothing like the one-two punch of proper exercise and a proper diet. High-sugar and high-fat intake have become the working targets of the current generation of fitness enthusiasts.
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FILED UNDER: Features / Injury Prevention / Inside The Magazine TAGS: Ann Wessling / Competitor Magazine / cross-training / Millennium Runner / Nutrition / shoes & gear / Trail Running / Training / treadmill running
Mario Fraioli
Mario Fraioli is a senior editor at Competitor magazine. A cross-country All-American at Stonehill College in 2003, he now coaches the Prado Women's Racing Team in San Diego and was the men's marathon coach for Costa Rica's 2012 Olympic team. His first book, The Official Rock 'n' Roll Guide To Marathon & Half-Marathon Training (VeloPress, 2013) is available in bookstores, running shops and online.