Q. I quite often 'refuel' with a coffee after a long run or ride. Is this doing me more harm than good, or is it an acceptable recovery drink?A. Restoring water and electrolyte balance is an essential part of the recovery process after any exercise
1. Always carry appropriate recovery snacks and drinks with you. Being prepared is an essential part of your training.2. Start eating and drinking immediately after exercise if you are training again within eight hours.3. Take 1-1.2g of carbohydrate
number of variables that will affect what your body needs for training and recovery and it may take some time to figure them out. The 2008 Sprint Triathlon Age Group (50-54) World Champion Jane Bell says her nutrition plan for her first year of triathlon
bones more quickly. So in addition to sound medical advice, choose the right combinations of foods to speed recovery and get back on track. Follow our slideshow to find out where to aim your trolley when you shop.Picture credit: Sue Tallon
to consider your recovery needs, so having something at that time is better than trying not to eat anything. That said, there are factors that prevent people from eating so late. Some say they are not hungry after exercising; if this is the case, start small
to generate heat and you come home shivering.This is when a hot drink works wonders: it banishes the chill and can be an excellent post-ride recovery potion, delivering exactly what you need to recharge after a workout. Some choices are better than others
. "Training rides are prime opportunities to practise race-time eating and drinking strategies," says Eberle. Once you discover a winning formula, you'll approach your next triathlon with a foolproof plan.Change it: Test new foods on shorter rides before
At this moment, the chances are you have a dietary deficiency that's harming your health, hindering your recovery and holding you back in training. Even if you pop a multivitamin and get the recommended daily amount of vitamins and minerals, you
't stop there. Its amino acids act like recovery agents that refresh your body: after a muscle-ravaging session, protein rebuilds tissues and prepares them for more exertion. It also bolsters the immune system - our bodies require protein to make infection
Q. I want to practise my nutrition for race day but my trainer says I should wait until a few weeks before the race so I get the maximum benefit - is he right?A. It's imperative that you experiment during training to find out what will work best