Voice of the Athlete: Angela Maciocia

We had the opportunity to interview Angela Maciocia, a long-distance runner with a passion for nutrition. With true grit and grace, she trains like a warrior and is the mother of two superheroes. Let's listen to the voice of the athlete, Angela Maciocia, and learn more about her journey as an athlete and inspiration.

Question: How did you get started in long-distance running?

Voice of the Athlete: I come from a family of athletes. My sister was a runner, and she signed me up for my first race at the age of eight. And I was hooked! I ran track in high school, focusing on the 1500m as my main event. Over the years, I slowly started to run longer distances and only ran my first half marathon at the age of 38. I started to run more competitively at the age of 39.

Question: What is your favorite thing about distance running, and how has it helped you outside of your sport?

Voice of the Athlete: My favorite thing about distance running is the development of mental fortitude while you train and aim to achieve your goals. Just when you think you can't take one more step forward, you can, and you do. This transfers to life outside of sports as well. When faced with challenges outside of running, I think back to all my hard workouts, long runs, and races and remind myself that I can move forward no matter what. No matter how tiny the step forward/progression.

Question: What is your biggest source of motivation on days you don't feel like training?

Voice of the Athlete: Not to be pompous, but, rarely, I don't feel like training/running, mainly because I am incredibly grateful that I can run/train the way I do. Twice, I've been sidelined by serious injury for long periods, and I know what it's like to not be able to run/move. For me, every day that I can run is a PR! There are indeed those challenging days when it's 25 below zero, and it's a little tougher to get out the door! On those days, I remind myself that I will only become stronger physically and mentally when running in the snow, in sub-zero temperatures during our harsh Canadian winters. This is what gets me out the door at 7 am!

Question: How do you mentally prepare before a race?

Voice of the Athlete: My coach, Mark Tosques, and I always make a race plan, and then I spend time meditating, journaling, and resting, using positive visualization daily. I also improve my nutrition even more leading up to a race.

Check out her coach, Mark Tosques, in action #marktosques

Question: Have you ever had an injury that took you away from your sport, and how did you deal with the fear of re-injury?

Voice of the Athlete: I've had two serious injuries that have taken me away from the sport for extended periods. The worst was when I suffered a herniated disc in my lower back. It was three weeks before I was supposed to run a marathon in 2018. I didn't run for seven months and lived in chronic pain 24/7. I lost the ability to cross train and do simple daily tasks such as emptying my dishwasher and bending over to wash my face. It was the hardest time of my life, but also the most eye-opening. I was forced to re-evaluate my relationship with running and my body,to redefine why I love to run, train and race. I was indeed fearful once I started to seriously train again. But I just focused on trusting my body, my therapists, and most of all, the process. I placed a significant amount of emphasis on letting go of the trauma I had endured mentally and physically.

Question: Did you ever have limiting beliefs that you had to work through to take your performance to the next level?

Voice of the Athlete: Absolutely! And I still do from time to time. What helps me is to "focus on the forest and not the trees". I try not to get caught up or attached to a certain event, goal, or time (trees). Instead, I look back at how far I've come, keeping my eyes on the bigger picture. Do the work, have fun doing it, and the results will come!

Question: How did your interest in nutrition start and grow over the years?

Voice of the Athlete: I started cooking at the age of eleven. My mom worked long hours, and I was taking care of my younger brother. I would have meals ready for when she got home, so she wouldn't have to cook after her long day. I learned a lot watching my mother and grandmother cook/bake - I had the best teachers! As I became an athlete, I became even more interested in nutrition, specifically how to fuel myself properly so I could train and perform to the best of my abilities. I have also learned a lot about athlete nutrition from my coach over the past 6 years. I have just recently started my own meal delivery service @angiesmealsontherun (Angie's Meals On The Run). Two of my passions joined together! It's a big career change for me, but so far so good!

Question: What role do you think nutrition plays in maintaining your mental health?

Voice of the Athlete: First and foremost, if you don't eat well, you won't be well. By "well," I mainly mean eating enough. There is no way that you can train and perform at your best if your nutrition is not sufficient. Nutrition is also key for recovery after runs, harder workouts, and on rest days. We often need even more food on rest days, not less. When referring specifically to mental health, chronic under-fueling (especially carbohydrates) can lead to sleep disturbance, irritability, depression, and anxiety. Not to mention decreased coordination, concentration, ability to focus, and make decisions. As my training volume increases, so does my volume of food, specifically carbohydrates. And if I start waking up at night, it's a sure sign that I have to increase my caloric intake. It's always important to listen to the cues that your body is giving you. It knows best.

Question: How do you stay focused with everything you have on your plate (being a wife, mother of 2 teenagers, special education teacher, athlete, and business owner)?

Voice of the Athlete: Being a special needs mom is a challenge in itself! My youngest is on the Autism Spectrum, and my eldest has an ADHD diagnosis, which comes with its unique challenges. I make sure that self-care is the top priority with zero guilt. This was not always the case. I learned the hard way, ending up in two clinical depressions. I make time to meditate, journal, be alone, take nature walks with my dog, and get massages and manicures when I can. One day every week, I take a day off training, and I have a "deload" week every four weeks where I decrease my training volume by almost 50%. I take breaks from social media. I am very careful about who and to what I give my energy, which is also key. Most importantly, I reach out for help when needed.

Question: What's the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Voice of the Athlete: This is a tough one to answer! I am blessed with an incredible support system/team, from my husband to my coach, to all my therapists who take excellent care of me. It's not easy to choose from all the helpful advice that's been given to me over the years. I'll share the following quote from Nassim Taleb that my coach sent me a while back: "Wind extinguishes a candle and energizes fire. Likewise, with randomness, uncertainty, and chaos, you want to use them, not hide from them. You want to be the fire and wish for the wind."

Question: Who are your role models both in and out of the sport, and how do they inspire you?

Voice of the Athlete: My role models in sport are David Goggins, Tommy Rivers, Kara Goucher, and Gabe Grunewald (unfortunately no longer with us). They have all overcome and surpassed incredible obstacles with grit and grace. My role models outside of sports are my younger son Noah and my mother. Noah, who is on the Autism Spectrum, has overcome and surpassed every obstacle and limit that has been placed upon him from a very young age. He displays so much courage, doing and trying new things even though he is often afraid. He is the bravest person I know. As for my mother, she taught me how to be a warrior, how to never give up on what I truly want, and to always fight for my kids/family no matter what.

Question: What legacy do you want to leave for the next generation?

Voice of the Athlete: I'd love to be remembered because of my generous heart and passions. For my tenacity, positivity, and my indomitable will to never give up.

Takeaway 1: My favorite thing about distance running is the development of mental fortitude while you train and aim to achieve your goals. Just when you think you can't take one more step forward, you can, and you do.

Takeaway 2: Twice, she was sidelined by serious injury for long periods. She knows what it's like to not be able to run/move. For her, every day that she can run is a PR!

Takeaway 3: She wants everyone to remember that if you don't eat well, you won't be well. By "well," she mainly means eating enough. There is no way you can train and perform at your best if your nutrition is not sufficient. Nutrition is also key for recovery after runs, harder workouts, and on rest days. Chronic under-fueling (especially carbohydrates) can lead to sleep disturbance, irritability, depression, and anxiety, not to mention decreased coordination, concentration, and ability to focus, and make decisions. Make it your goal to have wholesome, nutrient-dense meals.

Her favorite quote:

"Wind extinguishes a candle and energizes fire. Likewise, with randomness, uncertainty, and chaos, you want to use them, not hide from them. You want to be the fire and wish for the wind."

• Nassim Taleb

Follow Angela to follow her journey as an athlete and her commitment to making nutritious meals for families one delivery at a time… @angela.maciocia

Visit: https://www.MaximumComposure.com

Next read: https://mentalaccelerator.com/resource/purpose-vision/how-to-be-a-good-team-captain