Learning to Fuel: My Journey With Sports Nutrition
Running on Empty
When I first started training for marathons and triathlons, I did something most people would never recommend: I didn’t eat anything.
It wasn’t that I thought I didn’t need fuel. It was more that I didn’t like any of the options. Gels made me gag, most sports products upset my stomach, and since I’m allergic to nuts and seeds, half the products out there weren’t even safe for me.
So, I convinced myself I could just push through without food. Long runs, long rides — water only.
The Failed Experiments
Of course, eventually my body caught up with me. By the end of races, I’d hit the wall hard. My energy crashed, my legs felt like lead, and recovery took forever. I knew I needed to figure something out. I hired a coach - who helped a lot.
I tried everything I could think of:
Licorice.
Fruit snacks.
Bananas.
Maurten gels.
Sandwiches
Hard boiled eggs.
Some of these worked for a while, others didn’t. But over time, I realized it wasn’t just about finding the right food — it was about teaching my stomach how to handle food while exercising..
Training the Gut
One of the biggest lessons I learned was this: nutrition is a skill, just like running or swimming. You can’t just pick something on race day and hope it works. You have to practice.
I started experimenting during training. At first, even small bites felt uncomfortable. But week after week, my body started adjusting. Slowly, my stomach learned how to handle fuel on the move.
The Fig Newton Breakthrough
At one point, in a desperate attempt to figure this out, I walked into a grocery store and bought eight packages of Fig Newtons. I decided I was going to practice until I could eat while running without feeling sick.
And it worked. Run by run, ride by ride I trained my gut to accept them, and suddenly fueling didn’t feel like such a battle. Alongside Fig Newtons, Maurten gels also became a go-to for me. They were one of the few gels that didn’t upset my stomach — and having both options gave me confidence on long runs and race days.
What I Learned
Here’s what my experience taught me about sports nutrition:
Don’t ignore it. You can’t outrun poor fueling forever.
Practice early. Start experimenting months before a race, not the week before.
Find your foods. For me, it turned out to be Fig Newtons and Maurten gels. For you, it might be something else.
Train your stomach. Your gut adapts with practice, just like your legs and lungs.
Final Thoughts
Fueling used to be my biggest weakness, but now I see it as part of training itself. Long runs aren’t just about distance or pace — they’re also about teaching your body how to take in energy.
If you’re struggling with nutrition, don’t give up after a bad gel or upset stomach. Keep experimenting. Practice. Give your gut time to adapt. You might just find — like I did — that Fig Newtons, Maurten gels, or another simple fuel can unlock stronger, happier miles.