Ultraman Australia Race Nutrition with Paul & Lisa McDonald

Ultraman Australia Race Nutrition with Paul & Lisa McDonald

Today, I'm joined by two passionate triathletes, Lisa and Paul McDonald, to discuss his recent experience with the gruelling Ultraman Australia. Lisa was with him all the way and, as a member of the TNA, had the knowledge to equip him for success. Our conversation goes over the whole journey, from training and nutrition planning to the actual race and recovery. So, get ready for some actionable advice on optimising your performance in long-distance triathlons.

For those unfamiliar, Ultraman is no ordinary triathlon. It's split over three days:

- Day 1: 10km Swim and 140km Bike Ride

- Day 2: 281km Bike Ride

- Day 3: 84.4km Double Marathon

It's an event that challenges the mental and physical limits of even the most seasoned athletes. Paul explained he had a longtime interest in Ultraman but didn’t believe he could achieve those distances at first. However, the more he was exposed to the event as he watched friends compete, the more he realised that these distances were indeed achievable.

Going into the race, Paul’s primary goal was simple: to have fun. Rather than stressing about achieving the best times, he wanted his focus to be on enjoying the experience. This laid-back approach worked out well because Paul ended up finishing fifth overall, first in his age group, and was the first service member to cross the line with a total time of 26 hours, 38 minutes, and 49 seconds.

Nutrition was crucial for Paul's success, and that’s where Lisa and I came into play. While we don’t cover the Ultraman distance in the Triathlon Nutrition Academy, Lisa was able to use what she learned to craft a nutrition plan that could sustain Paul over the three-day event. Here are some of the key points from their approach:

- Carbohydrate Targeting: Lisa focused heavily on carbohydrate intake, ensuring Paul stayed fuelled throughout each day. “Always aim higher than you think you need.”

- Immediate and Aggressive Recovery Nutrition.: Lisa was there at the finish line each day with recovery meals, ensuring he was refuelling properly. This proactive approach allowed Paul to maintain his energy levels and muscle recovery for the subsequent stages

- Avoiding Burnout: Paul's nutrition alternated between real foods (sandwiches, potato gems, bananas, dates) and sports nutrition products. This strategy wasn’t just about fuelling but also about keeping meals palatable over three long days.

- Flexible Nutrition: The ability to adjust your plan is key. When Paul struggled with his planned nutrition on Day Two, they switched to foods he could tolerate better while still meeting his nutritional targets.

The Importance of a Good Crew
Another significant element of Paul’s success was his exceptional support crew, made up of close friends and family. Having experienced people who understood his needs sometimes before he did, took a lot of mental work off his shoulders. They managed everything from the nutritional handovers to emotional support seamlessly, ensuring Paul stayed on track.

So, what’s next for Paul? He’s eyeing a daunting 240-kilometre ultra-run in the Northern Territory. Lisa is, as always, ready to support him, eager for the next big adventure. And who knows? Maybe another Ultraman is in their future. For now, I hope their story is a powerful example of how proper planning and a well-rounded nutritional strategy can make the seemingly impossible, possible.

LINKS:

Check how well you’re doing when it comes to your nutrition with our 50 step checklist to Triathlon Nutrition Mastery: dietitianapproved.com/checklist

Start working on your nutrition now with my Triathlon Nutrition Kickstart course: dietitianapproved.com/kickstart

It’s for you if you’re a triathlete and you feel like you’ve got your training under control and you’re ready to layer in your nutrition. It's your warmup on the path to becoming a SUPERCHARGED triathlete – woohoo!

Join the waitlist for our next opening of the Triathlon Nutrition Academy www.dietitianapproved.com/academy

Website: www.dietitianapproved.com

Instagram: @Dietitian.Approved @triathlonnutritionacademy

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DietitianApproved

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy is a podcast by Dietitian Approved. All rights reserved. www.dietitianapproved.com/academy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Creatine Gummies Exposed – 9 Brands Tested, Half Failed

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4 Sep 14min

What It Takes to Fuel Your First Ironman

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28 Aug 28min

Why Sleep Is Your #1 Recovery Tool with Dr Michael Grandner

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21 Aug 42min

Are You a Burnt-Out Triathlete? Answer These 3 Questions

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14 Aug 13min

Extra Virgin Olive Oil vs Ibuprofen – What the Science Says

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7 Aug 12min

200 Episodes In – Fuel Tactics That Made TNA Athletes Faster

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31 Juli 36min

Plant vs Animal Protein – Which Builds More Muscle?

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Are plant-based proteins really good enough for triathletes chasing strength gains and performance? Or do animal proteins still reign supreme? In this episode, I dive into a brand-new systematic review comparing plant and animal proteins on muscle mass, strength and performance outcomes – and break down exactly what it means for you as a triathlete. You’ll get a no-fluff summary of the science, plus practical takeaways whether you're a carnivore, vegetarian or full vegan. Discover which protein sources really matter, how to optimise your intake for recovery and strength, and why you can’t out-supplement a lack of lifting. Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39813010/ LINKS: 🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy. Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE CONNECT WITH TARYN Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Juli 14min

Three Triathlon Nutrition Myths Costing You Performance – Stop Doing Them!

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