A few months back, I had the pleasure of composing a brief article for Triathlete Magazine on how I fuel for a race. It was exciting to see it in print when I skimmed the pages of the June issue while waiting to board my flight at LA-X, and now it is online, too. You can click on the pic or link below to check out how I fuel my body for a triathlon:
So, how do you fuel?
Dear Dairy,
I love you! I think that you are super tasty and full of goodness. I wish that everyone could enjoy you the way that I do. But, some people are allergic to your proteins, and some are unable to digest your sugars. Sad. Day.
Currently, Greek-style yogurt (the full-fat kind) is my go-to snack. I like to eat it with lots of peanut butter, honey, fruit, and any type of granola. A longtime goal of mine has been to make my own yogurt at home, but past failed attempts left me discouraged. I made another attempt recently, and after hours of labor still had no yogurt to enjoy–just room-temperature sour milk. So, I tried yet again and…success! I finally found my favorite yogurt-making process. I have already made two successful batches, and am looking forward to perfecting my techniques and consuming the delicious bacterial cultures. Yum!
My microbiotic babies swimming in a sea of granola and fruit
I especially appreciate that I can use the whey leftovers to add protein to smoothies or sub for liquids in my baked good recipes.
I love having my whey
Another thing that I wanted to talk to you about is your body composition. I don’t care if you have a high BMI due to your delicious lipid creaminess. I admire your balanced flavor and well-rounded nutrient profile of carbohydrate + protein + fat. I don’t see why people hate on you and say that you cause obesity and other diseases. I don’t think that’s very fair, and it seems that scientific research findings are behind you, too:
http://time.com/3734033/whole-milk-dairy-fat/
Thanks for being yummy and good for me.
Sincerely,
Britt
Meet the Athlete: Karen O’Neill, newly engaged Irish triathlete!
Current place of residence: Ventura, CA
Hometown/place of birth: Dublin, Ireland
Day job: Controller
Favorite sports or hobbies (besides triathlon): Reading, Wine tasting
Current (2015) triathlon goal: To beat my last time at the SB Long Course Triathlon
Best triathlon race leg (swim, bike, run, T1, T2, beer garden): Beer Garden!
Dream race: Warm water swim, downhill bike, and 3 mile run 😉
Race mantra: “There’s a cold beer at the finish line. You just have to get there.”
When/how/why did you start triathlon? Three years ago my friend Mariel convinced me to register with Team in Training for a triathlon. It’s all her fault.
Hardest race you’ve ever completed: Ironman AZ 2013 due to the length of the race. I was ready to be done after the bike leg. But I got a hug from Pat in T2 and he told me I could finish it. So I did.
Most memorable training and/or race moment(s): It’s always wonderful to see friends along the way and at the finish line. It’s what makes it every time for me.
Words of wisdom to someone considering training for their first triathlon/endurance event: You can do anything you put your mind to. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. And don’t forget to have some rest days too.
Something you’ve learned about yourself through triathlon/endurance sport: That I can actually keep going even though I feel like stopping. And I’m not afraid of open water anymore, well maybe just waves.
Pre-race ritual or superstition: A checklist with all items needed
Training/racing “secrets”: Tri-slide- it’s so useful
Training/racing pet peeve: Sometimes there are not enough days in the week to fit it all in
Why do you keep Tri-ing? It’s fun! I’ve met a lot of great people, and triathletes are a social and friendly bunch.
What does “Fuel” mean to you? Fuel to me means the gas in the tank
What does being “Fit” mean to you? Being able to do things without being out of breath
Pick one:
Long swim, long ride or long run? Long ride, even though I’m slow
Open water or pool? Pool- sometimes the dark depths in open water scare me
Trail or track? Track
Solo or group training? A bit of both
Chocolate or cheese? Cheese
Watch on your left wrist or right? Left
Morning or evening workout? Morning
Hat or visor? Visor
Swim cap or no cap? Cap
Cheerios or Wheaties? Neither
Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? Tea!
Want to see yourself featured in a future edition of M.T.A.? All BrittFit Athletes are eligible. You could be next!
Meet John #1, Ironman triathlete, husband, and newly-appointed grandfather. He pretty much does it all. Why #1? Because John #2!
Current place of residence: Camarillo, CA
Hometown/place of birth: Sun Valley, CA / Hollywood, CA
Day job: Architect
Favorite sports or hobbies (besides triathlon): I love to ski.
2015 triathlon/race goal: To complete two 140.6 distance events this year. IM Switzerland in July and IM Arizona in November.
Best triathlon race leg (swim, bike, run, T1, T2, beer garden): Definitely the bike. Definitely not T1.
Dream race: My parents were both from Switzerland. I’m really looking forward to competing there this year.
Race mantra: Just keep moving. A good friend once told me that every step I take during the race is one I don’t have to take again. I think about that a lot.
When/how/why did you start triathlon?: A good running friend of June’s (wife) asked me to help her with her cycling. I said sure, what are you doing? She said she signed up for an Ironman. I seriously asked her if she knew what that was. She had never participated in a tri. I signed up for my first sprint tri with her a couple months later. I was hooked.
Hardest race you’ve ever completed: IM Arizona, because of the distance and training commitment. The run during the Rhode Island 70.3 with the crazy steep hills, 90 degree heat and 90% humidity was also not fun.
Most memorable race moment: I was starting the second lap of the Oceanside run in 2011 and an athlete who had finished the event high fived me and encouraged me on. I then realized it was Andy Potts who had won the event. That really stuck with me.
Words of wisdom to someone considering training for their first triathlon/endurance event: Baby steps. Don’t overcommit to a race that is too hard or too long. Build slowly and you will enjoy the experiences much more.
Something you’ve learned about yourself through triathlon/endurance sport: You can accomplish a lot if you dedicate yourself and put in the work. You can do more than you thought possible.
Pre-race ritual or superstition: June says I wait to the last minute to pack. Not a good thing.
Training/racing “secrets”: Coffee
Training/racing pet peeve(s): Slower riders who ride to the left of the road. People who claw at you during the swim.
Why do you keep Tri-ing?: My training partners. I love to associate with the people who “Get it”.
What does “Fuel” mean to you?: Coffee
What does being “Fit” mean to you?: Feeling strong. Looking forward to the next workout. Wanting to do more.
Pick one:
Open water or pool? Open water
Trail or track? Trail
Solo or group training? Group
Chocolate or cheese? I’m Swiss, do I really have to choose?
Watch on your left wrist or right? Left
Morning or evening workout? Morning. I never would have said that before doing tris.
Hat or visor? I use both.
Swim cap or no cap? Pool, no cap…Open water, cap.
Cheerios or Wheaties? Wheaties
Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? Coffee, coffee, coffee.
Want to see yourself featured in a future edition of M.T.A.? All BrittFit Athletes are eligible. You could be next!
