The Fueling Forward Podcast
Hosted by Maddie Alm, sports dietitian and elite runner, The Fueling Forward Podcast is the place to go for all things running and sports nutrition. Learn from other runners as they discuss their own experiences with nutrition and performance and learn from Maddie, a registered dietitian and runner. Through these conversations, we will bust common nutrition myths and misconceptions around fueling for performance, so you can find an approach to fueling that will allow you to feel and perform your best without taking short cuts. Here at Fueling Forward, we believe in fueling your body for the long run!
Special Episode - NYC Marathon Recap
I did it!! I officially am a marathoner. I finished the NYC marathon in 3:07:48, and although this was slower than my A goal time of sub 3, I wouldn't change a thing about the race or weekend.
In this episode, I talk about:
The travel to NYC and the busy weekend we had with friends and familyWhat it was like navigating logistics leading up to the marathonHow I executed my carb load starting 2 days out from the raceWhat my fueling looked like the day and night beforeHow I fueled the morning of the race, and what it...22. Jess McClain
This episode is an interview with professional runner for Brooks and 2:22:43 marathoner, Jess McClain. Jess grew up in Arizona, where she was a 4x Footlocker qualifier and 14x state champion while in HS. She went on to run for Stanford and became a 7x All-American. Jess signed a professional contract with Brooks out of college and went to train with Brooks Beasts in Washington, but really struggled with the transition and to stay healthy. She ultimately ended up moving back home with her parents and stepping away from running professionally, and transitioned to working full time in marketing.
<...Q&A With Maddie - 20
Today's episode is a Q&A where I answer questions submitted by listeners. It's also my last Q&A episode before I run the New York City Marathon, so I talk a little about my training block and race day goals.
Questions answered in today's episode include:
Do you have any good snack ideas for night time? I usually like to have something sweet before bed.Recently I started waking up really hungry and was wondering if this is normal or a sign of under fueling? I only have noticed this recently after being more intentional...21. Elise Cranny
This episode is an interview with Elise Cranny, Colorado native and professional runner for Nike. Elise found immediate success in the sport as a high school runner, and went on to run for Stanford. While at Stanford, Elise struggled with RED-S and several bone injuries that disrupted much of her collegiate career, but despite these struggles she was still a 12x All-American and NCAA runner up, and signed a contract with Nike right out of college. Elise credits her post-collegiate career to learning how to properly fuel herself, and since going pro in 2018 Elise has won 4 US titles, represented...
Q&A With Maddie - 19
This episode is a Q&A where I answer questions submitted to me beforehand by listeners. Today's questions include:
I'm a busy college runner who relies heavily on pre-packaged foods and bars, often grabbing them for snacks or before or after runs. Do you have any recommendations for conveniences foods that won't hurt my stomach?Should I consume 60g of carbs per hour on all long runs, even the "shorter" long runs that are 10-15 miles?What is a good strategy for taking in fluids during the marathon? Should I use on course options or carry my own...20. Dani Jones
Today's episode is an interview with professional runner for New Balance, Dani Jones. Dani and I were teammates at The University of Colorado Boulder, and became teammates after college while on Team Boss. Dani was a standout collegiate runner, earning 12x All-American honors and becoming a 4x NCAA Champion. After her 5th year track season was cut short due to covid, she signed with New Balance and went pro, focusing on the 1500. Dani has competed in 8 USATF championships and most recently was selected to represent Team USA at the NACAC Championships, where she earned a silver medal in the 1500.<...
Q&A With Maddie - 18
In this Q&A episode, I answer questions that have been submitted by listeners.
Today's questions include:
Why do runners get side cramps and how can you avoid them?What advice do you have for high school coaches for helping athletes continue to run and train if they have a history or past of disordered eating? How do you balance training along with long term health?How can I handle triggering comments from relatives and friends who don't run?I notice that whenever I get my period, my running takes a nosedive and I struggle with...19. Lottie Bildirici (Running on Veggies)
This episode is an interview with the founder of Running on Veggies, Lottie Bildirici. Lottie grew up in NYC, and as a freshman in high school was diagnosed with cancer. After finishing her treatment, Lottie was inspired to learn more about health and wellness and began getting into running and nutrition. She started the blog, Running on Veggies, which eventually turned into an Instagram. Lottie soon turned her passion into her career by cooking for elite athletes like Kara Goucher, and becoming a recipe developer which eventually led to the publishing of her cookbook, Running on Veggies. Lottie has...
Q&A With Maddie - 17
In this Q&A episode, I answer questions that have been submitted by listeners.
Today's questions include:
I'm a high school runner with a super early lunch period at 10:15am and I'm having trouble figuring out how to eat leading up to a 3:30pm practice. Do you have any tips or advice?Can you share your opinion on energy drinks?I'm a new college graduate running 95 miles per week, do you have any advice for how to get into a better fueling routine without the structure of school? Also, should I be eating less or feeling...18. Emily Infeld
This episode is an interview with professional runner, Emily Infeld. Emily grew up in Ohio, where she found her love of running through weekend races with her dad. She went on to run collegiately for Georgetown, where she was a 14x All-American and an NCAA indoor 3k champ. Emily signed a contract with Nike right out of college and joined Bowerman Track Club, where she trained for the majority of her career. Emily was the 2015 Bronze Medalist in the 10k at the World Championships in Bejing, and she went on to become an Olympian in 2016 in the 10k. Emily...
Q&A With Maddie - 16
This week's episode is a Q&A where I answer questions submitted by listeners. The questions I answer in this episode include:
My hemoglobin A1C came back as high in my most recent blood test and my doctor suggested I cut back on carbs and sugar. As a long time runner, can you help put this advice into context? I want to ensure I'm fueled but not negatively impacting my blood sugar.I'm a high school runner currently dealing with a bone stress injury and also trying to get my period back. Do you have any advice...17. Special Live Episode - Women's Decathlon World Championships
This is the first ever live recorded episode of The Fueling Forward Podcast! In partnership with Hettas, I had the opportunity to travel to Geneva, OH to be a part of the Women's Decathlon World Championships weekend. I got to talk with the event founder, Lauren Kuntz, who was a D3 All-American in the pole vault while at MIT. After coaching while in grad school at Harvard, Kuntz became frustrated that she wasn't allowed to compete in the 10 event decathlon that included the pole vault because it was reserved for the men. Lauren became an advocate for allowing women...
Q&A With Maddie - 15
Today's episode is a Q&A where I answer questions that have been submitted by listeners. The questions I answer in this episode include:
I'm a college coach and my athletes just started double threshold days. What should fueling and refueling look like around these sessions, and should they be taking in carbs/electrolytes during?I'm a high school runner with a big appetite, and I find myself comparing how much I'm eating to friends and family and feeling bad about eating more than them. Do you have any tips on how to deal with food comparison?Do...16. Grayson Murphy
This episode is an interview with professional runner for Saucony, Grayson Murphy. Grayson grew up playing soccer, and even went on to play soccer in college. When she decided college soccer wasn't for her, she walked on to her college's track/xc team. Grayson went from having no experience with running and running 1 mile at a time to becoming a 5x D1 All-American at the University of Utah. Grayson signed a professional contract soon after college, and has competed in a wide variety of events. She finished 6th in the steeplechase at the 2021 Olympic Trials, is a 5x US...
16. Grayson Murphy
This episode is an interview with professional runner for Saucony, Grayson Murphy. Grayson grew up playing soccer, and even went on to play soccer in college. When she decided college soccer wasn't for her, she walked on to her college's track/xc team. Grayson went from having no experience with running and running 1 mile at a time to becoming a 5x D1 All-American at the University of Utah. Grayson signed a professional contract soon after college, and has competed in a wide variety of events. She finished 6th in the steeplechase at the 2021 Olympic Trials, is a 5x US...
Q&A With Maddie - 14
In today's Q&A episode, we cover some really great questions including:
Do you have any advice on how to navigate fueling in the off season? I have a fear of gaining weight and losing fitness, and it's making me really anxious.I was just diagnosed with a bone stress injury in my femur, and I heard that caffeine can lead to bone loss through blocking absorption of calcium and other minerals. I've upped my intake over the last year, do you think this could have contributed to the bone injury?I always find myself bingeing on something...15. Chris Lee
This episode is an interview with strength and conditioning specialist, Chris Lee. Chris was a D3 collegiate swimmer while at Montclair State, and after college he moved to Boulder, Colorado to pursue competitive triathlon. After getting his CSCS certification, Chris founded Kinesis Integrated. Kinesis Integrated provides personalized, science-backed strength training for endurance athletes, and they offer both in-person and app-based support. He recently created the Kinesis app, which integrates data from your watch to create a personalized and dynamic strength training program for you and your personal goals!
In this episode, we talk about:
How growing...Q&A With Maddie - 13
Today's episode is a Q&A where I answer questions that were submitted to me by listeners.
Questions answered in this episode include:
I'm a high school xc athlete who had a disappointing track season, I found of my ferritin was a 3 and I'm a plant based athlete. What can I do to help improve my iron?What are your thoughts on syncing your fueling to your menstrual cycle, specifically to help with PMS symptoms?I'm a high school xc coach struggling to get athletes and parents to buy into the importance of nutrition. What can...14. Sinclaire Johnson
This episode is an interview with professional runner for Nike, Sinclaire Johnson. Sinclaire is a Florida native who switched from lacrosse to running in high school. She earned a full ride scholarship to Oklahoma State University, where she was a 2 time All-American and the 2019 NCAA champion in the 1500, setting the NCAA championship meet record that still stands today. Sinclaire signed a professional contract with Nike right after college and has been with them for 6 years, during which she has been a 3 time World Championship qualifier. Sinclaire found herself not happy in her training environments and struggling with injuries, so...
Q&A With Maddie - 12
In this Q&A episode, I'm answering questions submitted to me by listeners. Today's questions include:
How should I fuel before and after an evening training session if I'm running at night around 7-9pm?I've heard you mention that artificial sweeteners can impact gut health, can you expand on this and does that mean I should stop putting stevia in my coffee?I've been working on adding more carbs and have been feeling better with my energy levels and on runs, but I've also noticed some bloating and that I feel heavier. Is this normal?I'm a...13. Steph Bruce
This episode is an interview with mom of 3 and professional runner, Steph Bruce. Steph grew up in Arizona, where finding running in high school led her to a successful D1 career at USCB, including achieving All-American honors. Steph went on to run professionally, and has 3 US titles and over 30 US championship showings between the track and the roads. Steph ultimately transition to the marathon, and has an average time of 2:31 over 20 marathons. Aside from running, Steph is a mom of 3, a co-founder of Picky Bars, and the founder of Grit Running.
In this episode, we talk about:<...
Q&A With Maddie - 11
This week's episode is a Q&A! I answer questions that have been submitted by listeners, and today's questions include:
What can I expect physically and mentally when returning from a period of underfueling or RED-S? How long will it take to feel normal?I have big goals in the sport but am not really a stand out runner. I know you were a walk on, so do you have any advice for a runner that wants to get better? I've heard that using sugar based gels during runs can cause gut issues and damage. How should I...12. Alexa Efraimson
This episode is an interview with former professional runner and soon to be registered dietitian, Alexa Efraimson! Alexa grew up in Washington, where she found running through soccer. She excelled quickly in the sport, and ended up signing a professional contract with Nike right out of high school at age 17. Alexa was a 2x member of Junior Team USA and is still the junior American record holder in the 1500. She was a member of Team USA in 2019 at the PanAm games, where she earned a bronze medal in the 1500. All throughout her time as a professional runner, Alexa struggled...
Q&A With Maddie - 10
Today's episode is a Q&A with me, Maddie Alm, registered dietitian and former professional runner. I'll be answering questions submitted to me by listeners, and today's questions that I answer include:
I've always had a regular cycle so assumed I was fueling properly, but after struggling with fatigue and realizing I needed to eat more I was wondering if there are other ways I can tell if I'm under fueling?I'm a high school coach and I saw other teams having their athletes use sodium bicarbonate before races. Can you talk about if this is appropriate for...11. Kara Goucher
This episode is an interview with Kara Goucher. Kara lives in Boulder where she is a wife and mom, and a Track and Field analyst for NBC Sports. Kara grew up in Minnesota, finding the sport of running through her grandpa, then went on to run for the University of Colorado where she was a 3x NCAA champion. After college, Kara went on to run professionally for Nike Oregon Project, and was a 5x member of Team USA including a 2x Olympian and World Silver Medalist. While at NOP, she suffered years of abuse at the hands of coach...
Q&A With Maddie - 9
This week's episode is a Q&A with me, your host, Maddie Alm. I start the episode by giving a quick update on how I'm preparing to train for NYCM (spoiler alert, it's not much). Then, I'm answering questions that have been submitted by listeners.
Today's questions I answer include:
As a busy student athlete, I know some days I'm not getting enough in because of my busy schedule. Should I be worried about within day deficits, and what can I do about it? Also, do I need to be buying organic produce on the budget...10. Sara Vaughn
This episode is an interview with professional runner representing Puma and mom of 4, Sara Vaughn. Sara was born and raise in a small town in Nebraska, and after finding running in high school she went on to become an All-American for CU. While at CU, she unexpectedly became pregnant her junior year and had her first daughter, Kiki, as a collegiate athlete. Sara went on to compete in everything from the 800 to the marathon, representing Team USA at 2 world championships in the 1500. In 2021, Sara transitioned to the marathon and won her debut at CIM in 2:26:53, one of the fastest...
Q&A With Maddie - 8
Today's episode is a Q&A with me, Maddie Alm, registered dietitian and former professional runner. I'm starting off today's episode with an exciting announcement, then I'm answering questions that have been submitted to me by listeners.
Questions answered in this episode include:
What are your thoughts on incomplete vs. complete proteins and leucine content of plant based proteins?As a plant-based, high mileage runner I'm worried this could be affecting my training or increasing my risk of injury, do you have any advice or suggestions?I am newer to running and run slower paces, so...9. Reilly Beatty
This week's episode is the first of my May series, Mother Runners, where runners who are also moms share their experiences navigating this time in their life. Today's guest is Reilly Beatty, a registered dietitian, owner of Reilly Beatty Sports Nutrition, and new mom to her first daughter who was born just over a year ago. Reilly played D1 soccer at NC State, and found her way to running after college. She has recently gotten into longer distances like the half marathon, and will be racing the 2025 New York City Marathon this fall!
In today's episode, we...
Q&A With Maddie - 7
Today's episode is a Q&A with me, your host, Maddie Alm, registered dietitian and former professional runner. I start of the episode with some brief thoughts on Monday's Boston Marathon, then I'm answering questions submitted by listeners. Today's questions include:
I went through a period of time where I was under fueling, and have worked on healing my relationship with food and eating more. However since I've made these changes, I've dealt with 2 bone injuries. Is this due to my history of under-fueling? And if so, how long will this last and what can I do to...8. Bailey Ness
This week's episode is an interview with Bailey Ness. Bailey is a Minnesota native and alumni of the University of Minnesota Track/XC team. She moved to Colorado for grad school, finishing up her eligibility at CSU before moving to Denver and starting 2 different businesses. Bailey is the founder of Nessecity, a social media marketing agency, and the co-founder of Cooldown Running, the largest run club in the US with an apparel line and run clubs in 12 different US cities. Bailey has also finished 5 marathons and has a PR of 2:46, and will be running the Marathon Boston this coming...
Q&A With Maddie - 6
Today's episode is a Q&A with me, your host, Maddie Alm, registered dietitian and former professional runner. I answer questions that have been submitted to me by listeners, and today's questions include:
I was told my cholesterol levels are high as a young high level runner and my doctor told me to remove several foods, what does this mean and what should I do?How do I fuel when returning from injury and manage the stress I feel about body changes?How long after waking up should I eat breakfast, and is it ok to have coffee...7. Emma Coburn
Today's episode is an interview with steeplechase legend, Emma Coburn. Emma grew up in Crested Butte, Colorado where she was an 8x Colorado State champion. She went on to run for the University of Colorado, earning 6x All-American honors and 3x NCAA titles. Emma has been a professional runner for New Balance ever since, and has been one of the greatest US runners of all time. She is a 10x US champion, a 9x member of Team USA including a 3x Olympian. Emma is also a 3x medalist in the 3k steeple, earning a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic...
Q&A With Maddie - 5
Today's episode is a Q&A with me, your host Maddie Alm, registered dietitian and former professional runner.
I answer 5 great questions submitted by listeners, including:
What are some nutrition considerations for the aging athletes?Should I be getting regular blood work, and should I be looking for different numbers as an athlete?What should I do from a fueling standpoint if I'm struggling with irregular cycles due to PCOS?Do fruits and veggies count as carbs for athletes?I recently ran a half marathon and it seemed like I was the only one with fuel...6. Amber Schulz
This week's episode is an interview with Amber Schulz! Amber grew up in Florida and got into running at a young age, where she was the 2021 4A Florida State Champion in XC and the runner up in 2022. Amber battled an eating disorder her junior year of HS, and after recovering she went on to run collegiately at the D1 level at High Point, then ended up transferring to Flagler, a D2 school back home in Florida. Throughout college, Amber experienced injuries, mental health struggles, and ultimately relapsed into her eating disorder, leading her to decide that collegiate running wasn't...
Q&A With Maddie - 4
This week's episode is a Q&A with me, your host, Maddie Alm, registered dietitian and former professional runner. In honor of it being National Nutrition Month and RD day, I start the episode by talking about the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist, and my journey to becoming a dietitian.
I also answer questions submitted by listeners, and the questions I cover in this episode include:
Why should I fuel on runs over 70 minutes? Is there really a difference between types of gels and which option is best?Do you have any ideas for...5. Allie Ostrander
Today's episode is an inspiring interview with professional runner and mental health advocate, Allie Ostrander! Allie grew up in Alaska, where she was a 10x state champion and U20 World Mountain Running champion. She went on to run for Boise State University, where she was a 3x NCAA champion and 13x All-American. After college, Allie signed a contract with Brooks and ran with the Brooks Beasts, and went on to qualify for the 2019 US team in the 3k Steeple to compete at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar. Allie stayed with Brooks until her battle with an eating disorder...
Q&A With Maddie - 3
Today's episode is a Q&A with me, your host, Maddie Alm, a registered dietitian and former professional runner. In honor of it being National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, I start today's episode by talking about some statistics around eating disorders in athletes, myths that perpetuate these issues, and sharing some resources for seeking support.
I answer 4 great questions submitted to me by listeners, and today's questions include:
1) Do you have any advice for food to prioritize while working on getting my period back?
2) Should those who menstruate fuel or hydrate differently if...
4. Katie Rainsberger
This week's episode is an interview with my friend and former teammate, Katie Rainsberger. Katie grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado where she was a 10x Colorado state champion and a 4:40 miler. She went on the run at the University of Oregon and ended up transferring to University of Washington. While in college, Katie was a 13 time NCAA All-American, and a 3rd place finisher at NCAA championships. From there, Katie became a professional runner for New Balance, and has finished 5th in the 3k steeple at the 2020 Olympic Trials, as well as medaled in the NACAC championships twice.
<...Q&A With Maddie - 2
This week's episode is a Q&A with me, Maddie Alm, registered dietitian and former elite runner. I answer questions submitted by listeners, and today I cover:
How to handle pre-race nerves, both from a mental and fueling standpoint speaking from some of my personal experienceWhat are some special fueling considerations for breastfeeding moms?Is vitamin water zero a good post training recovery drink?How long should a run be before you recommend adding fuel?My legs feel extremely heavy and tired, what could that mean and what should I do?If you want to submit a...
