12/04/2026
⛷️Alpine Endurance & Plant-Based Power 🌱
Nothing beats the French Alps in spring to test your engine and clear your head! While I’m here for the joy of the mountains, as a practitioner, I’m always fascinated by how we can use these environments to improve our physical resilience. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just love to move, here is how a trip like this "stacks" performance:
1. The Altitude Advantage: Training at altitude stimulates EPO production, increasing red blood cell mass and improving oxygen delivery. Unfortunately, these gains are transient with adaptations typically diminishing within 14–21 days of returning to sea level. The goal is to capitalise on that "aerobic window" for training once home.
2. Functional Endurance: Skiing is a superb challenge for eccentric muscle strength (muscles lengthening under tension—think "braking" through turns). It combines sustained "Zone 2" effort with high-intensity bursts, requiring core stability and mental stamina to stay fluid all day.
3. Wholefood Plant-Based Fuelling: Alpine days demand high nutrient density. I’m fuelling with:
• Complex Carbs: For sustained glycogen during long descents.
• Anti-inflammatory Phytonutrients: To combat oxidative stress from high-altitude sun and exertion.
• Nitrate-Rich Greens: To support nitric oxide production and blood flow.
The Peak of Performance: Performance isn’t just about PRs though; it’s about enjoyment. When movement brings you pure joy, "training" stops being work. That's the ultimate win-win for longevity.
What’s your favourite way to build endurance? Slopes, trails, or tarmac? Let’s talk fuelling below! 👇
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Live long, live strong!
Sarah Eglin
- Sports Nutritional Therapist
- Endurance Athlete
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