On this #fueledisfast Friday, we are excited to introduce you to Stefanie DeVito Martin. Stef is preparing for her first half marathon since her back injury. Her resilience, commitment and determination to stay healthy & reach her goals is truly inspiring! Read on to learn more about Stef:
Where do you live? Oxford, PA
Are you currently employed or in school (or both)? I am a biology professor!
What sports do you participate in? Running, strength training, yoga and the occasional session on the stationary bike.
When did you first start running & racing? 2011, to cope with the stress of graduate school.
What distances have you completed? 5k through half-marathon.
Where have you raced? Which location was your favorite? Everywhere between New York and Delaware. My favorite race is the Broad Street Run in Philly, the enthusiasm of the city of Philadelphia is unmatched!
What accomplishments are you most proud of? Running with scoliosis and getting back to running after dealing with two herniated discs.
Do you have a mantra when things get tough? I just try to get to the next thing I can see, whether it’s a street sign, lamppost, car, just get to the next point, and take it one thing at a time.
What is your favorite food? Ice cream!
Least favorite food? Tofu.
What surprised you most from your nutrition assessment? How much more I needed to eat around my runs, both before and after. Also, that I was really missing the mark on getting in enough vitamins. I thought I ate plenty of vegetables, but I’ve really learned a lot about getting in a variety of nutrients throughout the day.
What changes did you make based on your nutrition assessment? I really changed how I hydrate and fuel around my runs and strength training sessions now. I eat substantially more after my runs and now I am not hungry the rest of the day! I have also incorporated a lot more protein into my diet.
How have the changes you’ve made influenced your health & performance? I am definitely less hangry throughout the day! I don’t wake up hungry in the middle of the night anymore. I also have learned to listen to my body and eat more when I am hungry (which is always the week before my period)! I also have been able to lift heavier weights, and I’ve built more muscle mass from strength training now that I have started consuming more protein after my sessions.
What is your next big goal? I am running my first half marathon since my back injury in 2021!
What nutrition advice would you give to other athletes? Nutrition is so much more than just calorie counting! I knew this in theory as a biologist, but now that I’ve learned what levels of macro and micronutrients I need, I feel like I can see a much bigger picture of what well rounded nutrition means for me. Also, if you’re hungry all the time your body is telling you something! It is worth listening to what your body has to say.
We are so proud of Stef & looking forward to seeing crush her half marathon in October!
