Eat and Run - A Review
Last updated
Was this helpful?
Last updated
Was this helpful?
Eat and run: My improbable quest to ultramarathons greatness is a new 2021 autobiography by the well-known ultramarathoner Scott Jurek. It was just released by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in June of 2021. I enjoyed reading it. Jurek shares many achievements in his athletic life, but running is not one of them. He has won the Kentucky State Marathon twice and thence Masterstroke twice, but those were really outside events. I'm not certain how much of that can be attributed to diet and training.
Eat and run is a fascinating read, especially the part on nutrition. Jurek runs the second most miles in a single day of any ultra-marathoner and has run more than 2700 miles. He does not have a degree in nutrition, but he is an athlete. So, what does he do to improve his eating habits and get ready for his run? He does everything he can to get into great shape for his run.
is an easy read with lots of information. Jurek is a great guide to follow because he explains his philosophy on eating for ultra marathons clearly and concisely. He gives great tips on eating before and after each run and talks about the best foods to eat during long runs. There are some pretty good books out there on ultramarathons nutrition and this one is definitely not the least expensive or least popular. I liked it.
This book includes a number of interesting recipes as well as some useful tips for how to train for and prepare for his vegan diet. It contains eleven recipes for running and cycling that Jurek claims will improve your performance. One of these recipes, called the Bread and Beans marathon, was described by Jurek as "superb." In addition to inspiring him to start eating healthier, Jurek gives practical advice on how to prepare the food and cook it so it doesn't taste like meat. Some of the other recipes in the book include Jurek's version of macaroni and cheese, bean burritos, and even vegetarian chili. In addition to the meat-free recipes, Eat and Run also include a number of interesting tips for dressing up vegetables for meals and snacks during long runs.
The book includes many letters from runners who have followed Jurek's dietary direction and have used the advice in their own lives. These letters provide a unique window into the world of ultra-running, a world in which diet and supplementation are the order of the day and where personal motivation and determination are as important to the race as genetics are to any other sport. There are also some very practical suggestions for starting and maintaining a runner's nutrition plan and an entertaining account of how a runner started a green tea habit. Eat and Run also ends with a recommended dietary supplement that will enable you to reach your fitness goals faster.
The chapters that comprise Eat and run are organized around various components of ultra-marathoning. At the start, Jurek begins by describing his background as a runner, explaining how he became a long distance runner and how that helped him put together a solid eating plan for his runs. Then he describes how the Eat and Run plan was formed, and gives some good advice on getting started with the program. One of the chapters focuses on what to do before and after a run. Another offers a primer on nutrition and why it is important to eat vegetables before and after running. Finally, there is an informative chapter about how to race.
Eating and running go hand in hand, but many people may not realize it. Eating a healthy diet will keep your heart strong, increase your energy, and enable you to be more efficient at your workouts. In addition to eating right, many athletes swear by veganism as a way to improve their endurance. Veganism is defined as being a vegetarian or vegan, and it includes a commitment to refrain from consuming animal products. Some vegans only eat plant-based foods like eggs, dairy products, and fish.
Eat and run is not for the faint of heart, but the exercises are mostly fun for both the athlete and the person watching him. Eating right and running can do wonders for the body and mental state of a runner. This book is not for the vegan, but for those who are committed to living a healthy lifestyle while enjoying the great outdoors. Eating and running are a great complement to an athlete's training regimen. If you are an athlete and have not yet tried this book, I highly recommend it.