Birds, Miles, and Food Fights | Food Fight Friday at the Aid Station presented by 7 Summits Snacks

A Game That Keeps Us Laughing

Endurance athletes know the struggle: miles on the legs, sweat pouring down, and the aid station table staring back like a buffet you didn’t ask for. That’s where funny endurance sports nutrition comes into play, bringing humor to the table. This is exactly where Food Fight Friday at the Aid Station, presented by 7 Summits Snacks, swoops in to remind us that training and racing should also be fun.

Each episode brings a hilarious twist on fueling strategy by playing the game of Eat, Toss, or Carry. These funny endurance sports nutrition scenarios create unexpected challenges. The concept is simple: pick one food to eat, one to toss, and one to carry with you down the trail or in the middle of a triathlon. But this week’s challenge was especially fowl…..literally.

Three Birds, One Aid Station

For this episode, I teamed up with co-host Adam Lee to welcome Colin Robinson, a triathlete with a sense of humor sharp enough to survive Twitter. Colin found himself in a fictional, but all too real-feeling, moment at the 70.3 Oregon Ironman triathlon. At mile 28 of the bike, he had to make the ultimate call between:

🍗 Nashville hot chicken sandwich
🍖 Turkey leg the size of a baseball bat
🦆 Duck à l’orange (yes, the French classic, at a triathlon aid station)

This embodies the essence of funny endurance sports nutrition. Sounds easy? Think again.

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Making the Hard Choices

Colin didn’t hesitate to toss the turkey leg, and honestly, who can blame him? Balancing aero position while gnawing on medieval fair food isn’t exactly the stuff of PR dreams. But, could he have used it as a sabotage tool for fellow competitors’ spokes? It’s not a safe or legal strategy, but undeniably funny.

The Nashville hot chicken sandwich earned the “eat” spot. Bold choice. It’s delicious, sure, but it might also turn your digestive system into a five-alarm fire mid-race. Colin called it “fuel of champions,” and while that may be true, it’s also a gamble most of us wouldn’t take at mile 28. His choice adds a layer to our understanding of funny endurance sports nutrition.

As for the duck à l’orange? That’s the one to carry. Apparently, fine dining is better stashed in a jersey pocket for later cravings because you never know when mile 50 calls for French cuisine.

Humor Meets Nutrition Lessons

Beneath the jokes, Colin reminded us of something important: nutrition isn’t just about what’s on the plate, it’s about training your gut. Just like hill repeats strengthen legs and open-water swims toughen nerves, practicing what you eat on the run teaches your body how to handle real race fuel. The funny endurance sports nutrition game provides valuable lessons.

And yes, while most of us won’t be stuffing ducks into our bike jerseys, the bigger message hits home…..practice your nutrition before race day.

Storytelling From the Aid Station

Adam and I couldn’t resist sharing our own “best and worst” aid station food stories. From quesadillas that saved us at mile 80 to mystery snacks that should’ve come with warning labels, these tales connect every athlete. We’ve all gambled on food mid-race, and sometimes the outcome is as unpredictable as an ultra trail finish line.

Colin also shared a glimpse into his real training plans for Ironman Arizona. Behind the jokes and absurd challenges, he’s an athlete with serious goals proving that laughter and determination aren’t mutually exclusive.

Why This Game Matters

Endurance sports can be grueling, but injecting humor into the journey makes the grind bearable. It’s a reminder to keep things light, enjoy the ride, and share a laugh along the way.

So, endurance athletes, it’s your turn: between hot chicken, turkey leg, and duck à l’orange, what would you eat, toss, or carry? Drop your answers in the comments. I can’t wait to see your strategies.

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