Runger: running induced hunger.
It’s a thing, trust me.
This past weekend I ran 10 miles, which was the longest run for me in months, minus the Princess Half Marathon. It’s funny (not really though) that once you train for a marathon you have a skewed perception of distance. 10 miles IS a long run don’t get me wrong, but it’s not as long as 14 miles. Or 18 miles. Or 20 miles. Simply put: the word “long” can take on different meaning depending on your training.
My body thought 10 miles was a long run and, in turn, my hunger levels reacted as such. These aren’t super pretty Instagram pictures, but instead what my plate looks like 80% of the time.
Thanks to Jenn and her team of WIAW hosts for putting this together every week!
WIAW: The Return of Runger
Breakfast
My typical savory breakfast of late…Japanese sweet potato (microwaved because I’m lazy), carrots and kale sautéed in coconut oil and a fried egg. I had a few spoonfuls of almond butter after this, because I “needed” a healthy fat.
Snack
A few cashew butter crackers. Still loving Jilz Crackers and Maisie Jane’s cashew butter.
Lunch
Salad with baked rosemary-lemon chicken (my go-to), strawberries, half an avocado and cucumbers.
Snack
Before we left to see “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” I had probably the weirdest snack ever. I wish the picture was better, but it’s not. I’m still going to show it because #reallife. It’s leftover chicken wings, roasted vegetables and another sweet potato (this time it was a white one). Seriously the cravings were strange today. My parents saw me eating this and asked if I was planning on eating dinner later, to which I replied, “um this is just a snack…”
Dinner
We went out to one of my favorite restaurants in Tampa, Piquant, for dinner after the movie. I ordered the Fresh Catch Salad, which came with kale, arugula, tomatoes, avocado, carrots and wahoo (a meaty fish).
Snack
A Pink Lady apple dipped in melted Barney Butter. If you want to melt almond butter, Barney Butter melts the best! Recycled picture, but you get the gist.
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Girl you don’t even know, I giggled at your runger because I get it bad, and it rarely involves salads ? I’ve been eating lots of PB& Js lately!
If only I ate so healthy when I have runger! I tend to go towards junk, although I know my body needs the good stuff. If I have bagel bites or stuff for nachos around the house, that’s what I’ll be eating.
A long run for me right now is anywhere from 8-12 miles as I’m in the midst of half marathon training through June. Then it’ll get longer as I’m aiming for a fall marathon!
Sam @ See Sam Run recently posted…The Incredible Virtual Run
When I’m running upwards of 40 miles each week, I feel like every day is a runger day for me. Just can’t get enough! But more exercise = more nutrients we need so it’s all for good purpose. Have a great week, Emily!
Sarah @ BucketListTummy recently posted…The Benefits of Breakfast + Veggie Sweet Potato Avocado Breakfast Pizza Recipe
Haha I’m not the only one that eats chicken for a snack! It may be like a meal to others, but to me it’s a nice snack :)
rachel @ athleticavocado recently posted…No Bake Peanut Butter Nutella Energy Bites {GF, Vegan and Paleo Option!}
I am right there with you woman…I have started running more and those “hangry pants” are back in full force. Between the change in season and me getting in more mileage my appetite is ALL over the place…LOL! I haven’t had cashew butter in forever…Your eats look beautiful!
ACKTIVE LIFE recently posted…STRONG Legs Are BEAUTIFUL
It’s crazy to say this, but my long run this week is 20 miles. Ugh, kind of freaking out about it! I’ve got runger like CRAZY lately so this looks exactly like my day of eats.
Gretchen | Gretchruns recently posted…Spicy Turmeric Tea
I was just discussing this with a customer yesterday. The perception of a long run has changed so vastly for me, and again changes based on my training and time of year. I rememeber when running 5 miles would lay me out for the entire day. Now I consider anything over 10 miles a long run. My runger is so real all the time so I feel ya there!
Ellie recently posted…WIAW [Annoying Types of Vegans]
Runger is most definitely real. I have noticed it coming in strong the day of my speed workouts since my metabolism is on fire after that workout. (like yesterday) I was hungry after every few hours and always in need of more food. Right now a long run for me is anything over 8 miles. I have 8 miles to do this weekend, but 10 to do in a few weeks and it has been months since I have run that long!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Coconut Flour Zucchini Bread
I had strips of steak with cheese and baby bell peppers as a snack the other day, so I feel ya on the mini-meal snacks! And my family and friends all make fun of my sweet potato + nut butter snacks, but I know those are normal in blog world ?
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…4 Fitness Ways to Help Manage Anxiety
It looks like you’re fueling the runger really well! :) I love all of your eats. I haven’t had a great deal of runger for a long time, because I haven’t been running long distance for a while, but I actually love reading other blogger’s posts on runger, because it makes me kind of nostalgic. :)
Emily recently posted…WIAW: Dealing with Sickness
Runger or not, this looks delicious. I love your love of sweet potatoes!
I ran a half marathon about three weeks ago and training for it felt especially difficult because of the cold and, admittedly, a lack of motivation. As I ran the race I kept thinking, “how did I run 26.2 miles only a few months ago?” It’s crazy how anything more than 10 miles has felt so difficult lately. I have another race this weekend, a 10-miler, and it’s one of my favorite distances. It’s just enough to push myself and really work, while not being completed exhausted by the time I finish.
Bethany recently posted…An Enduring Hunger
This makes me want a sweet potato! I made them a ton for like a month then got sick of them, but now I need them again :P Also I saw My Big Fat Greek Wedding with my mom the other night! Definitely a dumb/silly movie, but my mom loved it haha
Hayley Blake recently posted…WIAW // Intuitive Eating On A Holiday
Runger is so real. Your sweet potatoes are making me crave Japanese sweet potatoes (the best kind) SO bad.
Runger IS real. And one of the biggest things I am thinking about as I look forward to beginning marathon training in May, is how rungry I’m going to be after 20 miles and not just 10 like you said. Maybe my own order of mixed Bareburger fries will be key…
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl recently posted…WIAW #51: Ice Cream Weekend x3
Yum.. all this food is making me hungry! Right now a “long” run for me is 8+ miles. I haven’t ran more than 7 miles in several months. Longest run since last year (hah.. I take these last year jokes way too far) this weekend!
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…Easter Highlights
Looks like you’re keeping up with almost whole30 eats! I miss the amount of sweet potatoes I would eat on the whole30…gotta incorporate more of those into my day-to-day.
Dani @ Dani California Cooks recently posted…WIAW – Back in Spokane
Runger is something I am currently experiencing today. I won’t lie, I don’t hate these type of dates whatsoever :)
Jessie recently posted…WIAW: Sick Meals
Runger is 1000% a real thing. I think my boyfriend is horrified by the amount of food I’ve been eating lately. I’m training for a full marathon in June so my long run is going to be 16 miles this week AHHH!
Diana recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday: Vegas Road Trip Edition
I think your eats look super yummy… I LOVE white sweet potatoes and I usually microwave them as well. It’s so much quicker and honestly I think they taste better like that! And wow, I get what your saying about the word “long” taking on different meanings, but as someone who’s not a runner, 10 miles seems SO long to me! Also, I need to get some of that nut butter! YUM! Hmmmm… weirdest snack?? Okay, I’m OBSESSED with cinnamon. A little container of it usually lasts about a month or so for me. Yep, I LOVE it… and I put tons on cantaloupe! SO good!
xoxo Cailee!
Cailee recently posted…Hello Healthy COFFEE!
Where oh where do you find your cashew butter? I once received some in the mail (Crazy Richard’s brand) and it was the most creamy, delicious thing! I’ve yet to see any in markets near me. Glad you’re enjoying it though :)
Cayanne Marcus @healthyezsweet recently posted…WIAW – Panamanian Spreads, Snacks, and Sweets
I always feel like I’m being “weird” when I have some leftovers or “real food” for a snack – but why not!? Its good food (and probably far better than many typical snacks).
I definitely thought you were describing your dinner as… “Wahoo!! A meaty fish!” Haha. But wahoo is good too :)
Embrace the runger!!
mylittletablespoon recently posted…Day In the Life (WIAW)
Man I’ve been out of the running game properly for a couple of months now so even 3 miles looks pretty long for me.
Megan recently posted…Monday must-reads!
Yep, we are the same person. It’s just getting weird now except I’m pretty sure your plates are prettier than mine. I do a sweet potato hash every morning for breakfast (this week I had Japanese too!) but it’s SO time consuming! I’ve been doing it for over a year now, but might switch it up to microwaving my sweet potato and sautéing the quicker stuff by themselves like Kale and shredded brussel sprouts. It would save me SO much time. My long runs right now are 12-14 miles and my weirdest snack recently was pumpkin puree just right out of the can.. low point :)
Margaret @ youngandrungry recently posted…Best Dang Guacamole
Runger is a beautiful thing. I miss it!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Running Advice: Run the Race You Trained For (Running Coaches Corner)
The latest weird snack for me? A giant cob of corn… eaten on the cob…. just by itself… just because that’s apparently what my brain decided it wanted that very moment.
My family were like “er… are you snacking on corn?”. Yup, don’t underestimate my weirdness, family!
Kristy @ Southern In Law recently posted…Recipe: Healthy Strawberry Cheesecake Blondies
I love the day after long runs, always the days where I can’t stop eating and all food tastes so good!
I have to ask – what does a white sweet potato taste like? I love potatoes, and that sounds really intriguing! I remember in college my friend introduced me to purple potatoes, and it was amazing.
Rebecca @ Vitamin OH! recently posted…Coastal Delaware Running Festival Marathon Training: Week 12
I think it’s more starchy and less sweet than a regular sweet potato. Actually, regular orange sweet potatoes are lowest on my list now. I like Japanese, white and purple the best!
haha oh when runger strikes, the food combinations go out the window! i fully support the snacks ;)