MS, RDN, CSSD, CEDS
Licensed dietitian
specializing in sports nutrition
and eating disorders
Plan, Prepare, and Prioritize Your Nutrition
Especially during taper week, it’s crucial to stay organized and mindful of your diet, particularly if you’re balancing a busy schedule. Even though we’re running less in the taper, nutrition is just as important as our bodies absorb all the training we’ve put in during our training cycle.
By Kate Cochran, Nutrition Intern, NYU Track and Field
When I first learned about low energy availability (LEA) and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) at twenty-one, I was four years deep into my distance running journey. It was while reading “How She Did It” by renowned female distance athletes Molly Huddle and Sara Slattery, both esteemed Olympians themselves, where I first learned about the syndrome. It was something I wish I knew when I began running at sixteen. I firmly believe it’s essential for every female athlete to familiarize themselves with RED-S early on, considering its potential impact on their athletic path.
I’m Kate Cochran, a graduate student at NYU studying nutrition and a member of the NYU cross country and track team. I’ve been running competitively since I was fifteen, and my journey has taught me the critical role that nutrition plays in athletic performance.
I had the opportunity to watch the Olympic gymnastics with my niece, Rachel Kaplan, a Division 1 gymnast and uneven bar specialist. Here are some key excerpts from our conversation that can be valuable for anyone looking to compete in college, especially females in body image-focused sports:
Soccer is an endurance sport that requires a steady supply of nutrients. Optimizing energy levels and performance involves special attention to fueling strategies before, during and after training and competing. In order to keep up with high energy and fluid requirements, special attention needs to focus on practices, games and tournaments.
Brendan Martin, physical therapist and elite runner discusses important tips to prevent injuries at the start of marathon training.