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Val02 · 03-01-2009, 05:23 AM

Hi. You seem really in-the-know, so I thought I would ask you my nagging question. I am 38, female, 5'3" and range from 108 to 114 pounds--lately more days in the 111-114 range. I have run the Philadelphia Marathon in November and I am running the New Jersey Marathon in May. I hope to qualify for Boston there. My times are very close. (I take my half marathon times, double them and add 10 minutes).

I am in constant battle with myself and how many calories a day I should be eating. I am on my feet all day as a teacher, and I train at night and on weekends. I eat VERY healthy. An average day would be: Breakfast: 2 slices of whole grain toast, with 2 tbsp of peanut butter, a small apple or orange and coffee. Snack:1/2 cup yogurt, 1/4 cup raisins and 1/4 cup granola. Lunch: Stouffers Meal such as Lasagna and a piece of fruit. Snack before workout: 6 fig newtons and a piece of fruit Dinner: Lots of veggies (the majority of what is on my plate), a bowl of light soup and maybe a sweet potato.

So here is my nagging question. I do not know if it is better to a) eat a consistant number of calories per day, (lately I have been around 2100) b)more calories on days I run longer or c)more calories the day BEFORE a long run to fuel me. For example, I have a tendancy to think I need to eat less on my day off of running (Friday) but then I think my fuel tank is a little low on Sat. morning.

Please help. I also don't know if my calories are way out of wack. I have been gaining weight lately....I used to weigh 108 on most days on the scale. I HAVE been doing "a bit" of strength training lately, but not enough to gain that much. *sigh*. I am so confused.

03-01-2009, 05:23 AM	#10 (permalink)
Val02 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2	Calorie Question for a marathoner Hi. You seem really in-the-know, so I thought I would ask you my nagging question. I am 38, female, 5'3" and range from 108 to 114 pounds--lately more days in the 111-114 range. I have run the Philadelphia Marathon in November and I am running the New Jersey Marathon in May. I hope to qualify for Boston there. My times are very close. (I take my half marathon times, double them and add 10 minutes). I am in constant battle with myself and how many calories a day I should be eating. I am on my feet all day as a teacher, and I train at night and on weekends. I eat VERY healthy. An average day would be: Breakfast: 2 slices of whole grain toast, with 2 tbsp of peanut butter, a small apple or orange and coffee. Snack:1/2 cup yogurt, 1/4 cup raisins and 1/4 cup granola. Lunch: Stouffers Meal such as Lasagna and a piece of fruit. Snack before workout: 6 fig newtons and a piece of fruit Dinner: Lots of veggies (the majority of what is on my plate), a bowl of light soup and maybe a sweet potato. So here is my nagging question. I do not know if it is better to a) eat a consistant number of calories per day, (lately I have been around 2100) b)more calories on days I run longer or c)more calories the day BEFORE a long run to fuel me. For example, I have a tendancy to think I need to eat less on my day off of running (Friday) but then I think my fuel tank is a little low on Sat. morning. Please help. I also don't know if my calories are way out of wack. I have been gaining weight lately....I used to weigh 108 on most days on the scale. I HAVE been doing "a bit" of strength training lately, but not enough to gain that much. sigh. I am so confused.