Libby from juliaandlibby.com gives us her running tips and tricks.
Name: Libby Matthews
Age: 25
Location: Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand.
Sum yourself up: I am currently living in Auckland and I am completing a Bachelor of Naturopathy while working part time as a Holistic Nutritionist. I run a health and wellness blog with my sister Julia – juliaandlibby.com. I love running, yoga, baking raw treats and eating sushi.
What is your daily routine when you have a run planned?
I wake up at 6.30 am, 3-4 times a week and go for a run around the Auckland Domain. When I get home I always have quite a big breakfast that is high in protein. This fills me up and helps to regulate my blood sugar levels for the day. Before I began running I would go to bed quite late but now since I wake up earlier I make sure I am in bed by 10pm. This helps my body recover and doesn’t make it so hard to wake up the next day to go for a run.
What do you eat before you go for a run?
If I am running first thing in the morning I will eat a banana as I don’t like running on an empty stomach. If I am running in the evening I make sure I have a light snack 2 hours before my run, no later. This will usually be a piece of fruit, bliss ball or a handul of nuts and seeds.
What are your top snacks for running/workout recovery?
After my run I make sure I have some form of protein within 20-30 minutes. My favorite post-workout foods are omelettes, chicken, salmon or a smoothie with berries, almond milk, walnuts and Nu Zest protein powder. I also make sure I drink 3 litres of purified water each day.
Nutrition aside, how else do you recover from a run?
If I have gone for a run or completed a workout I have a really good stretch focusing on the major mucle groups (hamstrings, calves, hips and quads). This makes such a big difference with how my body is feeling the next day. I try to have an early night, do yoga once a week, and every few weeks I will treat myself to a massage.
Where do you like to go for runs?
I am lucky because I live right next to the Auckland Domain so I have started running through the beautiful bush track. I also run along Tamaki drive towards Mission Bay and along the viaduct. Anywhere near the beach or bush makes it worth waking up early and working out.
What’s your training uniform?
Nike! I love the Nike tech tights, crop tops and I run in Nike Free 5.0’s, they are super light and comfortable.
What are the top 5 songs on your running playlist?
- ‘Don’t Say Nuthin’ – The Roots
- ‘What’s Happenin’ – Method Man
- ‘Electric Dream’ – Shapeshifter
- ‘Strong’ – London Grammar
- ‘Feel The Love’ – Rudimental ft. John Newman
How do you plan on staying strong, to keep running after the 10k race is over?
I recently joined the gym and have a trainer each week which has helped increase my fitness levels. I feel so much stronger even after 1 month. After the 10k I will keep up my gym training and I will definitely increase the distance that I run.
