If you follow the sport of triathlon the name Gwen Jorgensen should most definitely ring a bell, if not let me explain…
If you follow the sport of triathlon the name Gwen Jorgensen should most definitely ring a bell, if not let me explain…In 2014 and 2015 Gwen went undefeated, winning every race she competed in, for a total of 12 consecutive wins. This is something no female has ever done! She represented the United States in the Olympics in 2012 and will do the same this year in Rio. To sum things up, Gwen is a superstar athlete and so it goes without saying that she fuels herself smartly and strategically. Being elite at three sports is no easy task and somehow Gwen manages to make it look easy. I am honored to feature her on my blog today. But before we get into the specific details of what Gwen eats, I thought I’d take the opportunity to ask her a few other questions.
1) Triathlons include three sports – swimming, biking, and running. How do you find the energy to be active ALL day? Does eating well play a role here?
Eating is a huge part of sport. You need to make sure you are eating enough foods (and the right ones) to remain healthy and to show up recovered for each and every workout. I’m not perfect, and there are some things I eat, such as chocolate or ice cream, that I know aren’t healthy. But, I find I need balance in order to keep my sanity, so I let myself eat treats. I just make sure the treats don’t become more of a staple than the vegetables, fruits, proteins, and carbs. When I first started training for triathlon, I wasn’t eating enough and it showed in my performance. I started to work with a nutritionist, and we decided to start “front loading” my days. I now eat a larger breakfast and lunch, which helps to fuel all three (or four) of my workouts.
2) Whats your number one guilty pleasure?
Chocolate or ice cream
3) What is your go-to pre race dinner and breakfast?
Patrick (my husband) and I always travel with a rice cooker to races so we can control what I eat (both for food safety, and to get a good athlete portioned size meal). The night before the race, Patrick will usually cook a rice based dish with veggies, cheese, and lemon. He will also buy a rotisserie chicken and we will eat that. For breakfast, Patrick will make oatmeal in the rice cooker with some berries and peanut butter.
4) Any advice for newbie triathletes or someone who is looking to try it for the first time?
Find training partners. Triathlon training can get long and hard, but good training partners make the work fun and help push you as well. You learn from training partners, and also use them as motivation (they hold you accountable).
5) It must be amazing that your husband is such a great cook whats your favorite meal he ever made you?
Patrick spoils me with his cooking! I come home for a workout, and a meal is on the table. It really helps with recovery and it allows me to recover and not worry about having to go to the grocery store or cook a healthy meal when I’m tired. Patrick does a great breakfast when we are in the Basque region which includes morcilla (blood sausage), scrambled eggs, and fried potatoes with onions. It sounds simple, but it’s out of this world!
6) Whats next on the calendar for you?
I have just started training after a great offseason. I may do some small local races, but my first race will be round 2 of the World Triathlon Series in Gold Coast in early April.
Read the full article, including Gwen’s Wednesday Workout and nutrition here: http://www.runonveg.com/training/gwen-jorgensen-professional-triathlete-workout-wednesday/
—
Lottie
Chef, Health Coach, & Blogger
