Fuel for Thought Series: Debunking Nutrition Myths with Alister Gardner

06/13/24 • 37 min

You may be asking yourself why this episode is titled “Fuel for Thought”. Any guesses?

I mean if you know me, you know I love a good old play on words, hence the name of this new series that I’ve produced with Xact Nutrition.

Athletes train for hours, work with coaches on technique, join workout groups and sign up for big challenges but one of the things we feel could be overlooked by athletes that is so critical, is education regarding nutrition and how it helps you perform.

So we’ve put together a multi episode series to discuss specific topics pertaining to just that, in hopes that you come away with more in depth knowledge and a better understanding of nutrition.

On this episode of Just In Stride, Fuel for Thought edition, we’ll debunk various nutrition myths, with Elite road and trail runner, Alister Gardner.
When it comes to nutrition and best practices, everyone has an opinion. Whether it’s using salt tabs, choosing between real food vs gels or bars, identifying an ideal race weight, fasting during workouts or using supplements, we’ll provide detailed explanations and discuss the importance of each one.

So no matter if you’re an elite or just starting out, you’ll certainly gain something from this conversation and that’s no myth.
Here are some of the key questions we cover:

-Does taking salt tablets prevent/stop cramping?

-Is supplementing with maltodextrin beneficial for endurance athletes?

-Is it better to fast or fuel before training?

-Does carb loading enhance race day performance?

-The lighter you are, the faster you’ll race.

-Real food is better than gels/bars
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Offer from Xact Nutrition: This episode is presented by our friends at Xact Nutrition and they are offering you 15% OFF your order when you use the code JUSTINSTRIDE. So head to xactnutrition.com and fuel your goals today! Now shipping in Canada and the U.S.

Thanks for tuning in to the Just In Stride Podcast. I truly appreciate you taking the time to listen and I hope you enjoyed that conversation as much as I did. Please take a minute after this to rate and review our show on Apple Podcasts. With your feedback we’ll be able to make the show even better and it’ll help us reach new listeners too. You can also find us on Instagram @justinstridepod and YouTube @justinstridepod for all the latest episodes and updates. Glad you came along for the ride with Just In Stride!

You may be asking yourself why this episode is titled “Fuel for Thought”. Any guesses?

I mean if you know me, you know I love a good old play on words, hence the name of this new series that I’ve produced with Xact Nutrition.

So we’ve put together a multi episode series to discuss specific topics pertaining to just that, in hopes that you come away with more in depth knowledge and a better understanding of nutrition.

So no matter if you’re an elite or just starting out, you’ll certainly gain something from this conversation and that’s no myth.
Here are some of the key questions we cover:

-Does taking salt tablets prevent/stop cramping?

-Is supplementing with maltodextrin beneficial for endurance athletes?

-Is it better to fast or fuel before training?

-Does carb loading enhance race day performance?

-The lighter you are, the faster you’ll race.

-Real food is better than gels/bars
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Previous Episode

undefined - Jen Segger on her adventure race around Croatia, 20 years of experience, Exploration, Discovery, Family, Coaching, Multiday races and the risk/rewards that go with it.

Jen Segger on her adventure race around Croatia, 20 years of experience, Exploration, Discovery, Family, Coaching, Multiday races and the risk/rewards that go with it.

In endurance sports success doesn’t come quickly. It’s preparation over many days, weeks, months and years that usually yield the most success. It’s consistency over time that allows the body to move, adapt and recover that will provide us with longevity in the sport. Endurance sports is a lifestyle for many, so being able to do it through all stages of life often becomes the big picture goal.
On this episode of Just In Stride we dive into the unknown with endurance athlete, adventure racer and ultra coach, Jen Segger.
20 years ago Jen set out to be the best adventure racer she could, as she trained while exploring the beautiful province of British Columbia.
Over that time she’s completed numerous ultra trail events, multi-day expeditions and team adventure races too, almost always finishing on the podium or close to it. Today, she still competes with more passion than ever, as she continues to challenge herself and her athletes, as they reach for new heights.

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Next Episode

undefined - Moritz Keinath on his pursuit of the marathon, making big strides, building a community, running to move through rehab, achieving 6 stars, analysis to improve

Moritz Keinath on his pursuit of the marathon, making big strides, building a community, running to move through rehab, achieving 6 stars, analysis to improve

When I first got into the endurance world I was mainly focused on the training aspect but as I’ve learned and grown over the years, I’ve discovered that there is way more to it than that. Nutrition, rest, strength and sleep all play a major role in how we improve as athletes. If you're interested in taking the next step, ask yourself which of these other aspects do you know little to nothing about and take some time to learn more, you might be surprised how much of an impact it can have on how you perform.

On this episode of Just In Stride I broke down the success of Elite Swiss Marathoner and coach, Moritz Keinath.

Moritz played hockey and football growing up but actually didn’t enjoy running at all. It was only after a knee injury that he decided to give running another shot so he could get movement back in his life.

Today running has become much more for Moritz. It was a way to connect with his parents who were also passionate about the sport, a way for him to push his own limits and it also brought him closer to his local running community. He’s made huge strides in the marathon, now running at a semi professional level and hopes to better his time at the Berlin marathon later this year.

Moritz Keinath (@moritzrunning) • Instagram photos and videos
🌍 Running Club Zurich (@irczrh) • Instagram photos and videos
International Running Club Zurich (irczrh.com)
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