4 Yummy Fall Recipes for Runners

It’s true. I have to admit. I am one of those people that waits for the slightest hint of a brisk fall breeze and then goes pumpkin crazy. As I wrote in my previous marathon tips post, I love nothing more than running a long run in the cool autumn air and then refueling with yummy fall recipes for runners.

After writing that piece, I decided I needed to get with Chelsea Plummer, the runner and recipe genius over at Mae’s Menu, to collect some yummy fall recipes for runners. So, that’s what I did.

Fast & healthy recipes for runners

Chelsea-Plummer-of-Mae's-Menu
Chelsea Plummer of MaesMenu.com is the genius behind these recipes for runners, and a runner herself (spy the Garmin?)

When looking for healthy recipes for runners, you want them to be jam-packed with nutrients that aid in recovery, protein to help rebuild muscles, and carbohydrates to fuel our runs. As a runner herself, Chelsea develops her yummy recipes with this in mind.

And she realizes we (especially mother runners) don’t have a lot of time to cook, so she makes these healthy recipes for runners quick and easy to make. All these meals take between 30-60 minutes to make (and a lot of that is hands-off time).

All these yummy recipes are super healthy for runners, giving us what they need, and have a fall flair.

What more could you ask for?

In this article, I will give you the quick and easy recipes for

  • Pumpkin pasta
  • Healthy pumpkin spice blender muffins
  • Slow-cooker pork green chili
  • Butternut squash farro

Before we dig in. Let’s go over some running nutrition 101.

Key Nutrition Tips for Runners

  • Pre-run: An hour or so before a 60+ minute run, eat 100-300 calories of carbs and protein
  • During run: Aim for 60 grams an hour of carbs (a gel every 30 minutes). Drink water & electrolytes
  • Post-run: Refuel within 30 minutes with carbs and protein after a long run.
  • Post-run: Two hours later, eat a second (FULL) meal with carbs, proteins, and FATS.

Related: Marathon Fueling 101: What Runners Should Eat

Okay, now, let’s dig in.

4 Healthy Recipes for Runners to Eat This Fall

Pumpkin Pasta

This is your genius fall dinner idea right here. This pumpkin pasta recipe is PERFECT for a pre-run lunch or dinner the day before a long run or marathon. The carb-rich pasta will fill your glycogen stores to give you lots of energy and the potassium in the pumpkin sauce will keep your muscles from cramping.

The pumpkin sauce is awesomely autumn-flavored and simple to make! Serve it hot over pasta with parmesan cheese for a warm, comforting meal.

Ingredients:

pumpkin pasta
This yummy pumpkin pasta is a great pre- and post-run meal!
  • Canned tomato sauce
  • Carrots
  • Onions
  • Broth
  • Olive oil
  • Butter
  • Garlic
  • Dried rosemary & rubbed dried sage
  • Half & half

Get the instructions for the pumpkin pasta recipe here.

Related: 26 Pro Marathon Tips for Race Day Success

Pumpkin Spiced Blender Muffins (Gluten-free & Dairy-free!)

There isn’t anything better than enjoying a yummy pumpkin muffin with a steaming cup of coffee on a fall day after a run. Am I right?

Eat these pumpkin muffins before a run, after a run with some nut butter or a smoothie, OR even on the run! (Check out this pumpkin pie smoothie to complement the muffin!).

These pumpkin muffins have potassium-rich pumpkin, carb-rich oats, and are easy to make and eat while on the go when baked in mini-muffin pans.

Ingredients:

pumpkin muffins
These pumpkin muffins are easy to make and great to fuel your runs.
  • Canned pumpkin
  • Pumpkin spice 
  • Oil (coconut is preferred)
  • Milk (make it almond or nut for dairy-free)
  • Dark brown sugar 
  • Old fashioned oats (use certified gluten-free oats make it GF)
  • Flour (use gluten-free flour to make GF)
  • Salt
  • Baking soda

Get the Chelsea’s instructions for pumpkin muffin recipe here.

And, if you love this, try her healthy apple cinnamon bread pictured at the top of this page.

Slow cooker pork green chili

Chili and fall just go hand-in-hand! This chili is perfect for post-run refueling (especially that second meal after your initial refueling). Bonus if it’s by a fire.

Since it’s a slow cooker chili recipe, you can prep it the night before or in the morning, so it does the work for you. Easy peasy!

It’s packed with protein to repair muscles, carbohydrates to restock glycogen stores, and has fat to help your body absorb all the nutrients. It’s tangy with a tiny kick and super easy to make. And, if you’re vegetarian like my husband, just sub in kidney beans in place of pork!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 ½ cup chopped white or yellow onions
  • 1 ¼ lb. pork loin, cut into 1-inch cubes OR 2 cans of kidney beans

    slow-cooker-pork-green-chili
    Let the slow cooker make you a delicious post-run meal to give your muscles the protein they need.
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups broth
  • 4 oz. can diced green chiles, undrained
  • 1, 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, no salt added
  • 1 ½ cups (12 oz.) salsa verde
  • 4 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 4 tablespoons cold water
  • Optional chili toppings: green onions, cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, black olives, minced onions, etc.

Get Chelsea’s the instructions for this slow cooker pork green chili recipe here.

And, if you love this recipe, check out Chelsea’s two yummy refueling recipes on my article on proven ways to refuel from a long run!

Butternut Squash Farro

If you’re looking for an answer to, what should I make for dinner tonight? This is it!

butternut-squash-farro
This butternut squash farro is packed with fall flavors, making it your choice for dinner tonight!

This butternut squash farro with crispy parmesan breadcrumbs is satiating and an excellent choice for refueling after a long run or fueling before a long. (But, WARNING, do not eat too much ahead of a race due to the farro’s fiber contents).

Why is butternut squash a healthy option? Because butternut squash is rich in potassium, a mineral that works with sodium to balance the fluids and electrolyte levels in your body. This helps regulate your heartbeat and prevent muscles from cramping.

Related: How Do You Taper for a Marathon?

The farro also makes this a wonderful meal for runners as it is an excellent source of carbs, iron, and protein (excellent for helping our blood deliver oxygen to working muscles and protein to help repair those hard-worked muscles). It also has magnesium, which supports muscle and nerve function and energy production.

And this recipe is easy to make, warm, flavorful, and just overall delicious!

Ingredients

  • ½ medium size butternut squash, or about 1 lb, total, peeled, seeded & cut into ½ inch cubes

    FALL-RECIPES-FOR-RUNNERS
    These yummy fall recipes for runners are easy to make & full of the nutrients runner needs. Pin them for later!
  • ¼. cup olive oil, divided
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt, divided
  • ½ large size onion, chopped finely
  • 1 teaspoon or 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 ¼ tsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 ½ cup precooked or quick cook farro
  • 3 cup water
  • 1 ½ Tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • Black pepper & extra thyme, for garnish

Get Chelsea’s instructions for this butternut squash farro recipe here.

If you want more fueling tips and training guidance, be sure to check out my mother runner coaching services. I would love to help you reach your goals!

 

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