EAT!

I'm starting to realize there are actually 5 disciplines in triathlon. The obvious: swim, bike and run. The always important, but sometimes overlooked in practice: transition. And then there is the fifth, the one that without it, you surely wouldn't be able to make it. The ever popular and deliciously delightful numero 5: FOOD, aka. Chow, aka. Nutrition, aka. Fuel. Call it what you will, making sure you eat enough and eat the right things sure is important.

This thought came to mind yesterday as I "practiced" my pre-race eating and hydrating routine in preparation for a pretty major workout this weekend. Oddly enough, as I was filling my face with the most nutritious carby-things I could think, I came across an Arc'teryx interview with Adam Campbell (full interview here). I found myself captivated by one his responses in particular.

".... I believe that you have to be confident that you can suffer and survive. Especially with long races, you are bound to go through mental ups and downs, so it is all about managing these highs and lows. Some of it is just being used to the lows and expecting them, which comes with experience. They can also be managed through nutrition. A great line that I was told is "if you feel good…eat…if you feel bad…eat…" When you nail your nutrition, your emotions are much more even keeled. It's always easy when you are having a good day, but you have to mentally prepare for the worst case scenario."

I suppose this excerpt is not solely about eating or food or nutrition, but it's amazing to me, as I delve deeper into the world of endurance sports what a huge impact food and proper nutrition can have on the outcome of your day (be it race day or otherwise).