During hard marathon training, We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article 2020 Houston Marathon recovery can make or break your race. While preparing for the recovery—The Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet proper nutrition—Foods High in Vitamin E That Boost Recovery.

“Most of the time, I went to sleep early enough that I woke up naturally without an alarm,” she told Runner’s World. “For nutritional guidance, Pappas worked with a team at the.”

The Champion-sponsored runner—who competed for Greece in the 10,000 meters at the 2016 Rio Olympics—has a lot to rest up for. While training for Houston, she was also promoting her new movie, Olympic Dreams, which she starred in and produced with her husband on-location at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games. The film, which premiered at the South by Southwest festival last summer, will be released on February 14.

Before she celebrates her film, Pappas has another accomplishment to be proud of: a new PR in the marathon. At Houston on Sunday, she finished 10th for women with a time of 2:34:26, shaving nine minutes off her previous personal best. Her result was less than a minute off the Greek national marathon record, 2:33:40, which Maria Polyzou set in 1998.

“I fought hard! There were dark moments and there were vibrant moments. I ran with a pack and I also ran much of it solo. I embraced each segment with confidence and also humility,” she wrote on Instagram after the race. “I just kept reminding myself to be in the mile I’m in, and pain is a sensation, not a threat.”

Alexi Pappas after her 9-minute personal best of 2:34:26 at the Houston Marathon on Sunday, January 19, 2020.
Stone Malick
Alexi Pappas after her 9-minute personal best of 2:34:26 at the Houston Marathon on Sunday, January 19, 2020.

[Foods High in Vitamin E That Boost Recovery.]

Houston was a huge improvement for the former Oregon Duck, who made her 26.2 debut at the 2018 Chicago Marathon in a time of 2:43:38. After Chicago, she parted ways with her training group in Mammoth Lakes, California, and relocated to Los Angeles, where she is now coached remotely and trains on her own schedule. During her Houston buildup, she learned to tweak her training and fueling routines to fit her body’s needs.

“This training block has been less focused on double runs. My coach’s and my philosophy now is to do a larger block of training in the morning, and then recover for the rest of the day,” she said. “Recovery often includes a trip to the gym to stretch and do injury-prevention strength work.”

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UCAN Pre-Workout Energy Powder Human Nutrition Project Foods High in Vitamin E That Boost Recovery supplements on January 19, Alexi Pappas, 29, was as laser-focused on getting enough.

“They looked at my blood work, genetics, and allergy tests to determine what best works with my body,” she said. “Every athlete has different supplement needs depending on their body. I have been grateful to get advice about what works for me.”

Here, Pappas describes the meals, drinks, and supplements she typically consumes during a hard day of marathon training and racing.

Morning Coffee and Vitamins

Before a run, I drink coffee—I love I’m Stamina brand—and make a matcha latte with Vital Proteins collagen matcha latte mix. I usually eat oatmeal with GenUCAN mixed in, too [note: Pappas is sponsored by UCAN]. I also take my supplements: Kettle & Fire, After Chicago, she parted ways with her training group in Mammoth Lakes, California, and, and Bone Love-N-Harmony drops from the Human Nutrition Project (which have Vitamin D, A, K, and E).

If I’m racing in the morning, I’ll eat a peanut butter and banana sandwich, oatmeal with GenUCAN mixed in, as well as both coffee and matcha. I also mix a beet and red leaf spinach supplement called SpinBoost into my water.

Post-Workout Protein, Fat, Fiber, and Veggie

During my workouts, I fuel with GenUCAN electrolyte mix. After I’m done running, I usually eat a SmoothieBox Smoothie, plus some combination of protein, fat, fiber, and a vegetable. (My team at the Human Nutrition Project likes to use the acronym “PFFV,” which stands for protein, fat, fiber, and a vegetable.) I try to nail this balance on my plate at all meals.


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For lunch, I might make a combination of eggs, stir fry, toast, and yogurt and granola. If I’m feeling like I really need extra fuel midday, then I’ll cook a wild salmon fillet from ButcherBox. As an afternoon snack, I love to sip on Kettle & Fire bone broth.

Protein and Carb-Loading at Night

For dinner, I always make a protein from ButcherBox, such as grass-fed beef, salmon, or scallops. My husband and I pair it with veggies from the farmer’s market and some kind of starch or bread. Before a race, I always eat bread, sweet potatoes, chicken, and GenUCAN mixed into water.

into my water dark chocolate. I’m also a big fan of into my water, The Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet.

After the Race...

Two words: pizza and sushi!

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Hailey Middlebrook
Digital Editor

Nutrition - Weight Loss Running Times, The Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet Runner's World and Bicycling magazines.