You just treated your body to a refreshing bout of exercise. Maybe it was a Mutt Mile or 5k Fun Run/Walk or let's take my own example from today, a 10-Miler (at which the photos below were taken.)
Now, you tell me, does THIS look like what your body would choose to follow that up with, if it was able to choose?
- PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL
- MSG
- CORN SYRUP
- SUGAR
- CARAMEL COLOR
How about this:
This race offered all of the above, plus water.
Time of day after race? 8am.
Who even eats snack mix or chocolate cookies at 8am?
Apparently people who treat themselves to 10 Milers. Kind of backwards isn't it?
Nutrition note: Your body wants to replenish its glycogen stores immediately post-race. That equals approx. 200 to 400 calories of quality carbohydrate. Which equals a banana, orange and 20oz sports drink, for example; typical offerings at races. So next time, skip the marketing laden, gotta-provide-SOMEthing calorie dense (as opposed to nutrient dense) foods at the finish line. Best case scenario, bring your own post-race food like a carbohydrate heavy energy bar or drink just in case. I bring a Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch Clif Bar (my fav) and/or a pre-mixed bottle with 2 scoops Carbo-Pro mixed into water/juice. Follow-up with some quality protein within a few hours, or at lunchtime.
THAT would be the real TREAT :)
Enjoy you!
