May 2, 2023

My Three Favorite Vegan Supplements to Support Running Training

Looking for your next PR? It all starts with good sleep, hard running and quality nutrition.

My Three Favorite Vegan Supplements to Support Running Training

What's the most important part of training for a new PR? Running hard? Sleeping? Eating the right food? To me, it's all of it combined. I'm not a scientist, but in my personal experience, the best results come from optimizing my habits to be firing on all cylinders: eating good, sleeping long nights and getting after it on the road. An important part of that equation for me, especially as a vegan athlete, is making sure I'm getting in enough calories and hitting all my macro and micronutrient needs. Here are some of my favorite supplements I use to make that happen.

3. Aloha Protein: For Thicc Boi Shakes After a Tough Session

One of my mid-morning recovery meals is an everything bagel with kite hill vegan cream cheese and olive oil, plus a PBDC smoothie. What's PBDC, you ask? Peanut Butter, Date, Chocolate. To make this Reese's-tasting concoction, I'll take five ice cubes, two scoops of Aloha chocolate protein, a frozen banana, two tablespoons of peanut butter and two dates (de-pitted, please) and throw it all in the Vitamix for a minute or two. It's a solid batch of calories to get me through the morning.

Aloha protein is also great on its own, mixed with 16 oz of oat milk in a blender bottle. I swear it tastes just like a chocolate milkshake from Friendly's (real ones will remember). Better than any whey protein from before my vegan days.

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ALOHA Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder

Keto friendly vegan protein with MCT oil. Makes 15 shakes

$ 30.00 USD

2. Tailwind Recovery Mix: For When Time Is Your Greatest Enemy

This recovery mix is a lifesaver (or at least a mood-saver). I get hangry when I don't eat after running, but I often don't have time in the morning on weekdays. I'm waking up and hanging with the kids before they're whisked off to school, then I try to get in a 6 or 8 miler before my morning meetings. Even if I eat one of my favorite pre-run breakfasts, I need some recovery calories or I'm a mess.

That's where Tailwind comes in: super easy recovery calories with a balanced mix of carbs, protein and fat. I like it better than Aloha for immediate post-run nourishment because it's lighter when mixed with water, thus a lot easier to get down quickly. And because it's a complete package of nutrients, it'll buy me at least an extra hour before I need to eat a solid meal.

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Tailwind Nutrition Rebuild Recovery Drink Mix

The perfect blend of protein, carbs and electrolytes to replenish glycogen, rebuild muscles, and restore hydration. 15 servings

$ 40.00 USD

3. Nuun Sport: For All Day, Errday

What would I do without Nuun sport? Drink lots and lots of plain water, probably. Nuun is great not only because it adds needed electrolytes into the mix after a run, but also because I drink a ton of water (probably 5 48 oz Nalgenes full a day). Nuun has amazing flavors that take me back to summer camp juice boxes at lunch—strawberry lemonade, fruit punch, triberry, tropical.

If I could only save one supplement in my rotation, it would come down to a death match between Nuun and Tailwind. I always carry a tube of these when I travel, and I'll drop two into my 32oz Nalgene before plopping down on the couch to watch the NBA at night. While drinking regular water is important, adding Nuun makes sure I'm replenishing my lost electrolytes on those hot summer run days, two-a-day gym days and cross-country travel days.

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