Food ideas fuel Bristol athlete's enthusiasm

A Bristol mum of three has used her love of marathon running and skills in the kitchen to write a book of energy-boosting recipes for athletes.

Called Go Faster Food, Kate Percy's book of dietary advice and more than 100 recipes is aimed at runners, cyclists, swimmers and rowers.

Some of the tasty dishes included are chicken, chorizo and red pepper pilau, green fish curry with rice noodles and aromatic spiced couscous with apricots and pistachios.

Kate, 44, of Hotwells, said: "I am passionate about cooking and eating well and the vital role food plays in fuelling endurance and recovery, both for race day and during training.

"I became interested in the relationship between healthy eating and endurance sports by accident really. Back in 2000, when my husband, Mark, was training for a triathlon and the New York Marathon, it struck me that I had to radically change his diet.

"He was lethargic and finding it hard to train, he would complain that he was tired and hungry all the time. I decided to study nutrition for sport, I changed our diet and, like magic, Mark began to feel more energised and started to actually enjoy his training."

Kate, who has put her telecoms software business on the back burner while working on her book, says her recipes translate nutritional theory into real, everyday meals to help athletes increase their stamina and achieve their personal best.

She took up marathon running herself in 2004 and has run many half marathons and cross-country races, as well as full marathons in London, New York, Berlin and Amsterdam.

Go Faster Food, published by Vermilion, is widely available from July 2 or online at www.gofasterfood.com.