Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes

Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes provides sound nutrition guidelines to boost athletic performance in seven of the most popular endurance sports.

Endurance athletes regularly push their bodies to the limits with a strenuous training regimen that demands smart nutrition. Monique Ryan offers proven strategies for improved athletic performance with sport-specific guidelines for the most popular endurance sports—triathlon, cycling, mountain biking, cyclo-cross, swimming, distance running, and rowing. In-depth information is presented in an easy-to-read and accessible style, with individual chapters dedicated to each endurance sport.

Endurance athletes will learn how to assess body composition and find healthy approaches to losing body fat and building muscle. Ryan also gives practical pointers such as a review of popular ergogenic aids, tips on meal planning, typical shopping lists, sample menus, glycemic index of foods, facts about vitamins and minerals, and a comparison of sports nutrition products.

"Working with Monique has taken me to the winning edge in my sport. She has helped guide me to become an Olympian and World Champion in the sport of cycling. Whether you are going for the gold or have other ambitions, we are all up against highly trained and motivated athletes, including ourselves. To find that competitive edge, take the next step by adding the nutritional component to your daily training regime. A great place to start is by reading Monique’s book."—Kristin Armstrong, 2006 World Time Trial Champion, Two-Time U.S. National Time Trial Champion, Former U.S. National Road Race Champion

“In my opinion, the weakest link in endurance performance is an athlete’s nutrition. This can be easily corrected, however, with Monique’s new book Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes. She has demystified how to eat day to day and for the moments that count in a race and provided information in an incredibly clear and adaptable way so that athletes of all levels will be able to fine tune their diet and finally perform at their top level. I wish this book had been written during my career!”—Mark Allen, Six-Time Ironman World Champion

"I have always believed that the top Ironman athletes train very similarly, and that winning or losing comes down to nutrition and mental toughness. I know I would not have won two Ironman World Championships without focusing on my nutrition every day. Monique does a fantastic job covering everything you need to know about daily and racing nutrition. Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes sets the standard for getting you fueled to the finish line."—Tim DeBoom, Two-Time Ironman World Champion

“Monique Ryan’s Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes is a must read whatever your competitive goals may be. Monique’s vast knowledge is evident, and this book will serve as a complete source for all your nutritional inquiries. From making optimal food and fluid choices, meal planning and timing, to event specific needs, this book has it all.”—Alan Culpepper, Two-Time U.S. Olympic Runner, Three-Time U.S. Cross Country Champion, Two-Time U.S. 10K Champion

"Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes is a comprehensive nutritional guide. Monique Ryan provides valuable information that helps athletes maintain their energy levels and maximize their ability to perform in endurance events."—Dede Demet Barry, 2004 Olympic Time Trial Silver Medalist, Former U.S. National Criterium and Road Race Champion

"Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes offers an accurate and clear direction for today's competitive rowers. The information complements how I handled my diet as an athlete and the direction I offer both light and heavyweight rowers today."—John Riley, Two-Time U.S. Olympic Rower, Eleven-Time U.S. National Champion, Former U.S. National Team Coach

"Monique's chapter on rowing provide rowers of all levels with an excellent introduction to the physiological demands of the sport and the appropriate nutrition to meet those demands. Together, this chapter and the rest of the book give a solid nutritional framework for all endurance athletes."—Julie McCleery, World Championships Bronze Medalist, Former U.S. National Rowing Team member

"Folks ask adventure racers how we can possibly race nonstop for days on end, tackling challenging disciplines like mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, rapelling, and mountaineering in some of the most extreme environments found on earth. While fitness, gear, strategy, and teamwork are all play roles in getting a team to the finish, the paramount importance of nutrition—before, during, and after—cannot be overstated. Proper nutrition often separates those who win from those who go home before the race is over. An important read for any endurance athlete, I highly recommend Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes both to the beginner athletes I coach and to the professionals I race with."—Travis Macy, professional adventure racer and coach