Mary Kate Hackworthy – Sophomore – Steamboat Springs, CO
Eating properly is extremely important for success as an athlete. Personally, I find it hard for me to eat when I am racing. This year, I have tried several different foods to fuel myself on race day, and have finally found some that are actually appetizing while competing. In the morning, I typically have a small coffee and plain yogurt topped with granola, fruit, and maple syrup. This usually holds me over until after our first run. When we have four runs for two races, we do not have much downtime and, for some reason, I don’t have an appetite. Maybe it is because of the high intensity and mental focus we have to keep all day, I am not really sure. However, when I do not eat anything, I get really tired. Finding foods I want to eat when my appetite is low is extremely important.
One snack I like to always have in my bag is Honey Stinger Energy Chews. They are sweet and chewy and give you the perfect boost of energy. They are perfect if you don’t want to eat anything, but need fuel to get through a run. Another snack I like to have in my bag is some sort of nuts. My personal favorites are almonds and cashews. They are great if you are craving something salty, and they can last forever in your ski bag. Fruit is another great thing to have between runs to give you a boost of energy.
This could be literally any fruit, orange juice, or a smoothie works, as well. Hard boiled eggs are also a great way to get protein and a boost of energy in a small package.
Finding what kind of fuel works for you is extremely important. It helps you perform better and feel better throughout the day!
