So you’ve signed up for a long-distance run. Maybe it’s a marathon. Maybe it’s just your mate’s idea of fun on a Sunday morning. Either way, the training plan is only half the battle. The rest? That’s about what you put in your body, how you treat it after, and whether you can resist the urge to collapse in a heap the second you cross the finish line.
Any runner will tell you, preparation is key to success when it comes to marathons and long distance running, and that means loading up on the right foods to sustain you. Carbs are your best mate in the lead-up, but the secret weapon is making sure you’re blending the right fuel into your everyday. We’re talking smoothies loaded with fruit, nut butter, protein, maybe even a cheeky espresso shot if that’s your vibe. A SharkNinja blender is the difference between a lumpy half-hearted shake and a velvety pre-run rocket fuel you’ll actually look forward to downing.
Post-run, your smoothie needs to do more than taste good—it has to work hard too. Think fast carbs to restock energy (bananas, mango, oats), protein to kickstart muscle repair (Greek yoghurt, protein powder, nut butter), and hydration heroes like coconut water or almond milk to replace what you’ve sweated out. A handful of frozen berries adds antioxidants to calm inflammation, and if you’re feeling fancy, throw in chia or flax for omega-3s. Blend it all silky-smooth in a SharkNinja and you’ve basically got a recovery plan in a glass.
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When plain water just won’t cut it, an electrolyte-heavy recovery slushie is the move. Think crisp cucumber for freshness, a splash of lemon to sharpen things up, Korean pear juice for natural sweetness, all blitzed together with an electrolyte drink as your base. The Ninja SLUSHi does the hard work, transforming it into a frosty, hydrating hit that cools you down and replaces everything you’ve sweated out. No ice required, and you've got a zingy, post-run reward that tastes like actual victory.
With the TCS Sydney Marathon set for August 31, tens of thousands of runners will be powering through a gruelling 42kms, all while taking in the sights of Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Centennial Park and more, and SharkNinja is all about giving them the tools they need to go above and beyond. In the lead-up to the TCS Sydney Marathon, SharkNinja will be at the TCS Sydney Marathon Running Show, where runners can be among the first in Australia to explore the brand’s latest innovations.
Plus, on race day itself, competitors can head to the Ninja “You Can Make It” Zone — a high-energy DJ-powered cheer station, and after the finish line there’s the SharkNinja Recovery Village space, where participants can relax, refuel and recharge.
Talking of refueling and recharging the right way, check out Urban List’s top picks of the Ninja Test Kitchen's pre and post-workout drinks, and the best blenders to make them in.
Image credit: SharkNinja | Website
Pre-Run Smoothie: Peanut Butter And Berry Protein Power Smoothie
Equipment
Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro With Auto IQ
Ingredients
½ cup old-fashioned oats
¾ cup skim milk, divided
2 tablespoons peanut butter
¼ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
1 cup frozen berries
½ teaspoon honey
You can create this pre-workout blend in the cup at home and enjoy it on the go, thanks to the design elements of the Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro With Auto IQ.
This piece of kit looks good on the kitchen benchtop, thanks to its stylish silver-grey finish and stainless steel accents, and it does all the hard work for you, blending the toughest fruit, vegies, nuts, seeds and even ice easily with its stainless steel blades. It’s smoothie-making at the touch of a button.
Image credit: SharkNinja | Website
Post-Run Smoothie - Strawberry And Banana Smoothie
Equipment
Ninja Blast Max Cordless Portable Blender
Ingredients
1 tablespoon raw agave syrup (optional)
1 cup milk of choice
1 half banana, cut in half
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
An oldie but a goodie, this post-workout blend, will give you a much-needed pick-me-up after the finish line, and if you love the thoughts of a portable blender but want the oomph of a corded one, this is your guy.
The Ninja Blast Max means you can sip your smoothie from virtually anywhere as it masterfully powers through your frozen fruit and ice with its rechargeable motor base. This cutie has three intelligent Auto IQ progams: blend, crush and smoothie - and with one twist you can remove the vessel for ultra portability. It’s also got an easy-open sip lid with a carry handle.
Image credit: SharkNinja | Website
Recovery Slushie - Electrolyte Slushie
Equipment
Ninja SLUSHi Professional Frozen Drink Maker
Ingredients
1 yellow electrolyte drink
1 Cucumber
Lemon juice to your liking
Ginger beer to your liking
Korean Pear juice to your liking
After a big day, this electrolyte slushie will hit the spot, and you don’t even need ice when you’ve got the Ninja SLUSHi Professional Frozen Drink Maker to whip it up in.
Grab the crew because this machine serves up to nine, thanks to its 2.6 litre capacity. There’s no ice, no blending and no hassle with this one, and you can create drinks with as little as one ingredient. Win!
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