PICKUPS with Maddie Alm

Maddie Alm walked onto the University of Colorado track team and ran her way to five U.S. Championships and the Olympic Trials. Now a professional runner and sports dietitian, she's the founder of Fueling Forward — helping athletes perform better through evidence-based nutrition.

This Sunday, she lines up at the NYC Marathon with the TrackGirlz team.

How does running make you feel?

Running makes me feel strong and capable, and reminds me that I'm able to do hard things. These are skills we don't often get to practice in adulthood, and I love that running gives me the opportunity to challenge myself.

Name a woman who inspires you.

I am inspired by Kara Goucher. She has been a leader and role model in women's distance running, and I love her messaging around taking care of yourself. She has been an advocate working to make the sport better and encourage brands to support female athletes in all phases of life.

What’s something you thought you couldn’t do, but did?

I never dreamed that I would start a business, but I'm so proud to say that Fueling Forward has been thriving for the last 6 years. Starting a business has taught me that you can do anything you set your mind to, and that if you wait until you feel 100% ready to chase a big goal you'll never start. It has been incredible to see how many people resonate with my mission, and I love getting to connect with others and help runners feel and perform their best in the process.

What song gets you fired up before a run?

Right now, Speed Demon by Justin Bieber.

Any races on your bucket list?

In all honesty, the New York City Marathon was the only marathon on my bucket list, and I'm so excited to get to race it this weekend!

Which Hettas are you currently training in?

I have been running in the Alma cruise, and absolutely love them!

You’ve raced at five U.S. Championships and the Olympic Trials. How do you channel that same fire heading into the marathon?  

Whenever I race, my goal is to get the most out of myself on that day. I remind myself of all of the hard work I've put in to get to the start line, and getting an opportunity to put that work to the test motivates me to race hard. The marathon is going to be a very different race than I'm used to, but having raced a few 10k's and a half-marathon, I know that with longer races you have to be patient and trust yourself. You also have to learn to ride the waves because there will be moments where you feel amazing and moments where you're not sure if you'll be able to finish. I'll be using the same racing skills I've used my entire career, just in a different way, and I can't wait to feel the fire of race day again!

You’re a registered dietitian — what’s one nutrition myth you wish every runner would forget/what’s the biggest mistake you see runners make with fueling?  

A nutrition myth I hear all the time that really negatively impacts runners is that carbs are "bad" or need to be limited. The reality is that runners have incredibly high carbohydrate needs, and under-eating carbs is the quickest way to harm your performance. Carbs are the body and brain's preferred source of fuel, and the more your body has access to, the more you can get out of your training. Low carb intake can lead to poor recovery, chronic soreness, low mood, fatigue, and hitting the wall in your workouts. More carbs equals more energy!

You’ve been competing for years. How has your relationship with running evolved?  

One of my favorite things about the sport of running is that it can be there for you in different phases of your life. In high school, running was a way for me to spend time with friends and be a part of a team. In college, running was a way for me to meet new people, challenge myself and learn what I was capable of. As a pro, running was a second job and something I used to unlock my full potential as an athlete. And now, after my professional career, running is a way for me to move my body and get outside. I've loved running for different reasons in every phase of my running career, but right now running is something that brings me joy.

What made you decide to take on your first marathon — and what keeps you pushing through those hard training days?

Truthfully, I had never really thought about running a marathon. But when Hettas asked if I wanted to run the NYC marathon as a charity runner to help raise money for TrackGirlz, I felt an immediate pull to say yes. Not only was it New York, the marathon I would have chosen if I were choosing to do one, but it was also an opportunity to run for more than just myself. A big part of what I do with Fueling Forward is work to improve the sport for the younger generation of runners, and I love that TrackGirlz is doing the same thing. I'm honored to get to fundraise for their cause, and remembering that this race is about more than time is so motivating. Throughout my entire running career, my times mattered. For this race, my goal is to run strong and have fun. It's so fun being able to train in a different way and race with less pressure, and I'm really excited to see what I'm capable of this weekend by just letting myself run.