#fuelinggreendots - the sports nutrition trilogy

It all started back in August 2021, when a friend reached out to ask, "Can you help me with my nutrition plan for the Marji Gesick 50?" My response was a resounding, "Heck Yeah!" with about 3 weeks leading up to the event.

So what can you do in three weeks? You can confidently head into the event with a solid plan of a lot of the same foods. Fueled by Skratch Super-High Carb, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, Honey Stinger Energy Chews, Coca-cola, and potato chips we helped our very first MG50 finisher earn their #greendot.

The witty banter and harder than nails energy of this event got us curious. As a sports dietitian, it was "easy" to see what it would take to fuel this event but what would it look like to ride (or run) it? Being a part of this event quickly took on a mind of it's own. The mini bike in 2022, MG50 in 2023, mini bike again in 2024, and eyes set on the worst of both worlds (duathlon) in 2025.

With the lived experience of training, executing a nutrition plan on the course, and brain full of sports nutrition knowledge; we introduce the trilogy of sports nutrition which highlights three key ways that we help folks as they prepare for the Marji as they set out to earn their #greendot.

Self-Support Nutrition.

Do you love the community that Marji Gesick brings? Think less #miserylovescompany and #fuelinggreendot energy! This group coaching program which is specific to the 906 Adventure team events. We'll cover how to fuel your day so that you can get the most out of your training and how to dial in your nutrition plan for the event. While we can't guarantee an entry into MGX, we can promise a similar experience to Larry's:

"A fantastic addition to any training plan, but especially so for all of the 906 AT events. Over the course of the year Dawn uses a variety of methods to introduce topics and help you achieve your goals. Monthly Zoom meetings for people to share their successes and areas they need assistance. The weekly menus are super helpful for busy people training, working and parenting. Since there is no one solution for nutrition and hydration, she works hard to try new products and provides samples when she can. Through her guidance, I have made tremendous gains in successfully fueling my training and events. Five stars!" - Larry MG100 #unfinishedbusiness 2024

You're invited to join Self-Support Nutrition so that your nutrition will be the least of your concerns on race day. Doors open now through 11:59pm EST on Tuesday 10/15/24.

1:1 Individual Session(s).

Do you want to be told exactly what to do? Do you have an hour to answer as many questions about yourself, your goals, and your diet history? Do you have body composition goals for the upcoming year?

An individual session will allow us to get to know as much as we possibly can about you and get to support the heck outta you! Individual sessions are scheduled based on your needs (how rad) and resources provided are unique to your goals. Could you benefit from the added confidence that working with a sports dietitan would bring? We can't get on your bike and ride for you but we can promise you'll be supported like Cori and Marta.

"I’m an absolute beginner when it comes to biking. I first hopped on a bike in earnest during the summer of 2023, and from the very first ride, I was hooked. As the miles passed beneath my wheels, I became obsessed with improving my technique and building my fitness. I signed up for a few short events, and had a great time  

When the snow started falling, I couldn’t resist—I got myself a snow bike and before I knew it, I had signed up for the Polar Roll. That’s when I had my first experience with “bonking” – and let me tell you, it’s not something you forget easily. A few weeks later, I signed up for another event and, you guessed it, bonked again. It quickly dawned on me that I had no clue how to properly fuel my body for intense rides and races. The energy products on the market were overwhelming. I wandered around local bike shops, staring at the energy gels like a deer in headlights, completely clueless about what to buy, when to consume it, or what the ingredients even did. I needed help!

As I prepared for my 2024 summer events, I knew I had to figure this out. I started learning on my own, picking up tips and advice, and attended a short presentation by Dawn at Marji Camp. With a bit more knowledge, I noticed real improvements on my training rides. I began to approach food not just as fuel, but as a key part of my performance as an athlete. But I still had a lot to learn. Eventually, I decided to reach out to Dawn directly for some one-on-one guidance.

The couple of hours we spent together were nothing short of transformative. By the end, I had a solid, race-day nutrition plan. She even followed up after my first event and helped fine-tune things based on my feedback. Without Dawn’s help, my summer biking season would have been completely different. Instead, I felt strong, confident, and empowered as I pedaled through every ride. Scheduling a one-on-one session with Dawn was a total game-changer!" - Cori, MG50 #greendot 2024

"PRO TIP:  Use Dawn Lundin for your race nutritional needs!!

One night over Margaritas, a friend and I made the choice to sign up and do the Marji Gesick 50, and we’re 60, hahaha!

I’ve been racing bikes for the past 8 years.  A blend of XC, Enduros and Endurance races. Of all my races, this was the best I’ve ever felt doing a 12hr plus race/ride!  Thank you Dawn!

She was recommended to me by a mountain bike coach, Katlyn Lafrinere!  She said “Pro Tip, use Dawn Lundin for your nutrition.  She’s amazing.

I was 13 weeks out and in a panic, because I was feeling pretty spent after 5 plus hrs out on a ride.  I reached out to Dawn, set up an appointment and the rest is history.  Dawn listened, asked a lot of questions and put together a plan for me to use during my training and long rides.  She’s done the Marji 50 and it was important to me to work with someone with race experience.  Using her plan was working for me.  I began to feel better and recovery was quicker.  She put together a “Race Day” plan that I followed to the T.  During the race, I felt filled with energy, which in turn fueled me to keep going and finish.

Thank you Dawn for sharing your gifts, experience and knowledge with me! 

And Age, meh, it’s just a number.  Hee hee!" -Marta MG50 #greendot 2024

Do you want us to support the heck out of you? We would love that too! To learn more about working together, schedule a free inquiry call on our website.

Event Specific Nutrition Plan.

Imagine sitting down and after a 30 minute conversation, receiving a color coded spread sheet which breaks down hour by hour what you need to eat in order to cross that finish line?

We'll use your event goals, previous longest ride or race, support, and preferences to dial in your nutrition plan.

While we can't guarantee this million dollar finisher smile, we can promise the confidence boost that a personalized nutrition plan can provide like it did for Kaylee:

"As someone who is relatively new to mountain biking and completely new to endurance races like the Marji Gesick, I knew nutrition would be a huge challenge for me. One of my biggest struggles has always been eating enough daily, and the thought of trying to fuel properly during such a grueling race felt overwhelming.

Working with Dawn Lundin at Restore Ease Dietetics was an absolute game-changer and such an enjoyable process. She took the time to understand not just my specific race goals but also my personal struggles with maintaining enough calories. Dawn created a nutrition plan that was tailored to my needs, making it easier for me to fuel consistently during both training and on race day.

Before starting Dawn’s plan, I was incredibly worried about running out of energy and not being able to finish the race. But with her guidance, I felt confident and prepared. Her plan helped me stay energized, recover faster, and tackle the challenges of the Marji Gesick head-on. 

I can’t recommend Dawn and Restore Ease Dietetics enough for anyone looking to improve their nutrition, whether for everyday life or something as intense as the Marji Gesick. Her expertise, motherly nature, and personalized approach made all the difference for me." - Kaylee, MG50 #greendot 2024

Photo Credit: Ryan Stephens

To schedule an event specific nutrition plan session, schedule a time on our website and we'll get back to you with details.

May the registration odds be ever in your favor and find a way to allow your nutrition to #finishwhatyoustart and fuel your #greendot.

All words and images were shared with the permission of our clients. Restore Ease Dietetics honors the confidentiality of our clients and would never share without their permission.