Even when you consume energy chews, gels, and sports drinks, your long run may leave you dragging in the twilight miles. “On runs over 14 miles, carb-only fuel often leaves runners hungry. Protein and fat take longer to digest, so adding them to the mix delivers more sustained energy to prevent crashing,” says Anne Mauney, M.P.H., R.D., and marathoner. She also points out that fat and protein can cause GI distress midrun, so it’s best to test alternate fuels on shorter runs first.
Energy bites are trendy sources of fuel that are made with nuts, dried fruit, and flavor enhancers like cocoa powder and shredded coconut. “It’s hard to mess these up,” says Mauney. Blend your ingredients in a food processor, roll into balls, and store in the fridge for…