Finish 1st with Coconut Oil!

This upcoming weekend, the Kelapo Team is heading to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to exhibit at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Series Marathon Health and Fitness Expo. Incorporating coconut oil into your diet the night before the race, the morning of, and in-between may be extremely helpful for those running long distances and marathons. Coconut oil is comprised of medium chain triglycerides, which are easily digestible and absorbed intact into the liver directly for energy. This is the reason why you may feel an “energy boost” after consuming coconut oil. As a substitute for butter and cooking oils, coconut oil is simply replaced in a 1:1 ratio of any recipe, or a great addition to starches.

Prepping for any race, you should have a meal that’s filled with carbohydrates. This will ensure your body is fueled for the energy you’ll be exerting during race day. If you’re doing a race in the morning, it’s recommended to have a meal filled with carbohydrates the night before and a light breakfast in the morning. If you’re doing a race in the evening, you’ll want to make sure your breakfast and lunch both contain more carbohydrates. It’s also important to drink plenty of water in order to keep your body hydrated. Alternating between water and Gatorade is also a good idea to help your body get electrolytes that it needs.

With so many ways to use coconut oil, I’ve put together the Top 5 Ways for Coconut Oil and Running.

1. Add coconut oil to your carbohydrates: Try drizzling coconut oil on pasta or spreading on toast to incorporate healthy fats and carbohydrates that your body needs before a race.
2. Try coconut oil to prevent chaffing: Rub coconut oil onto areas on your body that are prone to chaffing. Coconut oil is a great moisturizer and may help prevent dryness and irritated skin.
3. Make a mid-race snack with coconut oil: Some runners like to take snacks along with them when doing long distance races. Making  granola or our raw coconut balls are perfect handheld foods to snack on mid-race, which contain coconut oil and small amounts of natural sugar. I’ve even had runners at previous marathons tell me that they love to pop popcorn and drizzle coconut oil on top!
4. Soothe muscle soreness with coconut oil: The night before or even after the race, try soaking in a bath filled with Epsom salt, a few drops of peppermint essential oil, and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. The mixture will help ease your muscles and give you the chance to relax.
5. Relax your feet with coconut oil: After long distance running, your feet may be blistered, sore, and tired. Create a mixture with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, a few drops of peppermint essential oil and rub over your feet. Using a pair of old socks, dress both feet and keep them on for a few hours or even overnight. The mixture of coconut oil and insulation from the socks will leave your feet feeling smooth and rejuvenated!

These are just a few of my favorite ways to prep for race day and long distance running by using coconut oil. I love all these ideas because they are healthy and all-natural. Best of luck to those running this weekend in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Marathon! Have you tried using coconut oil before a race?

-Kayla