Yesterday I was buzzing with energy. Today, I could barely summon the strength to swing my legs out of bed.
The day before, I’d worked all day, led a bootcamp session, and gone for a run. By evening, after a shower and a hot chocolate, I was spent. But even then, I couldn’t sleep properly.
When I finally got up, my body felt like it had run out of fuel. Not even my usual cold shower (yes, every morning) or porridge with fresh rhubarb could revive me. I knew something was up.
It wasn’t stress. It wasn’t lack of sleep. It was food—simple as that.
I’d ramped up my training from the occasional weekend jog to over 35 miles a week. But I hadn’t increased my calories at all. My body was screaming for fuel, and I’d ignored it.
Last night’s dinner—some salmon with a couple of fried courgettes—wasn’t going to cut it. I was trying to train like an athlete but eat like I always had. No wonder I hit the wall.
It’s funny how the basics are the first things you learn—again. Rest. Fuel. Recovery.
I’ve read all the advice, but until you feel it, it’s just theory. Now, it’s reality.
Tonight, while my wife’s at her faculty dinner, I’ll be researching how to actually feed this body of mine. Maybe there’s a “Cookbook for Ultras” out there. And if not—there should be.