Fuel Up

Fuel Up

Most runners get into the sport because they want to be physically fit—some because of a health scare (the doctor said, “You’d better lose some weight!”), some to prevent health problems, and many just to look good, feel good, and do their best. But exercise is just part of the equation—nutrition is also important. To operate at peak efficiency, our bodies need the right amounts of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, and other food-fuel ingredients—in the right portions. A junk-food diet just won’t cut it.

For runners, this means fueling up before, during, and after the race—making sure to be hydrated. And we need to be wise in what and when we eat and drink, especially in a long run such as a marathon. During the start and faster portion of the race, we may not feel thirsty and may hate to slow down for a drink at the aid stations. But that’s exactly when we should because we’ll need that water later. Waiting until mile eighteen when we’re depleted and dehydrated will be too late.

Interestingly, the Bible uses drinking to describe aspects of the spiritual life. Peter writes, “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness” (1 Peter 2:2-3).

Just as our physical bodies need milk, our spiritual bodies need God’s nourishment, which comes from God and his Word. This food should be so important to us that we “cry out” for it.

The Runner

In the year after his wedding, Devon had put on a few pounds. Probably from all the good cooking, he thought. Then he got a promotion at work—great news, except that in his new position he was spending much more time behind a desk, not being very active. So he noticed that he was getting a bit soft around the middle. Devon had always had a big appetite. At six foot five, he could consume great quantities at most meals, and he loved his French fries and wouldn’t even try to resist snacks and treats. So gradually he added more weight, especially as his metabolism began to slow.

At first no one noticed because he was a big man. But then his wife and a couple of friends implied that he was getting a bit larger. The friends also suggested that he go with them to the gym or at least try running.

Devon laughed. How could he ever find the time with a small child, the demands of work, and his responsibilities at church? But when he tipped the scale at thirty pounds overweight during his annual physical exam, with high blood pressure and alarming cholesterol numbers, at the urging of his doctor, he decided to do something.

“Gotcha, Doc,” Devon told his physician. “I’ll start a running program. Right now, I’ll probably get winded running a block! But I’ll try to work up to running three or four miles every other day or so. Then I can eat anything I want, right?”

“Are you kidding?” the doctor answered. “That would be like continuing to smoke after being diagnosed with lung problems. An exercise program is just part of the solution. An important part to be sure, but you also need to watch the quality and quantity of what you eat.”

The Race

Some runners are like Devon, rationalizing bad eating habits with statements like, “Well, I ran today, so I guess another helping won’t hurt!” But as the old saying goes, “You are what you eat.”

Some Christians act the same way, rationalizing bad spiritual eating habits with statements like, “I went to church, so I’m good with God for this week.” Or we might think that reading the “Daily Devotional app” and saying a quick prayer should do the trick. Some may even substitute reading a Christian fiction book or watching a TV evangelist for spending time in Bible study. Certainly church, devotionals, quick prayers, Christian fiction, and religious TV are fine. But they can be like snacking. Our spiritual lives need to be nourished.

Paul writes, “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-20).

Paul’s advice: Be careful of what you take in. You were made to run on God, so be filled with his Spirit. And how are we fed spiritually? Through worship individually and with others, praising God for who he is and what he has done for us. Other spiritual nourishment comes from strong Bible teaching and personal Bible study and prayer.

The Result

Consuming the right spiritual food and drink helps us grow in the faith. We become mature and strong, developing our faith muscles. A good spiritual diet builds our endurance, preparing us for the unexpected turns and other trials in the race. We also need to take the right nourishment during the race, helping us push on and through to the finish. We need the right fuel to run well and finish strong.

My Story

My first marathon experience was in the fall of 2001. A recent college graduate with a degree in kinesiology, I had studied and mapped out everything in regard to the race, including how to prepare mentally, how to eat, and how to dress.

Knowing what to wear was the easiest part. I dressed in layers (the starting temperature was below freezing) and simply removed and threw to the side of the street anything that was making me hot. Preparing mentally and nutritionally was more difficult.

I had trained with a water bottle containing half Gatorade and half water. I knew my intake during training should be what I would consume during the race. I figured I probably wouldn’t be able to take water and Gatorade at all the aid stations, so that’s why I mixed them. Then, during the race, I alternated. My first water break was around mile four or five. Then at the next station I grabbed Gatorade; the next station water; the next station Gatorade; and so forth. I also trained using power gel after learning what gel would be distributed at the race. I took my first gel around mile twelve (with water, of course). They handed out a pack around mile eighteen, but I held on to it and waited until mile twenty-one to consume it with water. I had trained well, so I knew when I would need that extra energy—not at mile eighteen.

One of the greatest challenges in a marathon is mental. I had to stay focused, keep my own pace, and not compare myself to others. I knew where I would start to feel my weakest and developed a mental game plan. Around mile twenty, I started focusing on smaller goals. At each water station, I told myself to just make it to the next water station. I continued those small goals until I reached that finish line.

I fueled and prepared myself mentally and nutritionally, and at the end of the race, I felt great! Sure, I was exhausted, but I loved every minute of that run and I never hit the wall—because I learned where to fuel up nutritionally and mentally.

Dana

Think It Through

1. In what ways has running affected what you eat and when? What else caused you to change your diet through the years?

2. When have you substituted spiritual “junk food” or “snacks” for nourishment?

3. Where can you find the spiritual nourishment you need?

4. What changes will you make in your spiritual diet to help you fuel up for your life race? What spiritual food will you consume during your race?

On Running

When should I drink water, and when should I drink a sports drink?

What you drink depends on the length of your workout and the amount you sweat. Generally, if your run is less than one hour, you only need water. In a warm and humid atmosphere, however, when you are sweating a lot, you may need to drink a little bit of a sports drink to replace the electrolytes you lost from your excessive sweating. Of course, if you have trouble drinking a lot of water, try drinking half water/half sports drink to give you some flavor while at the same time replenishing lost fluids.