Overview Clean meals with grilled chicken, steamed broccoli, quinoa, and perhaps a green smoothie or two are what most people picture when they think of an athlete's diet. 🥦🥤 However, in the realm of ultra-endurance, particularly among ultra-marathoners, that perception is entirely reversed. Consider yourself halfway through a 100-mile race. You're worn out. Your muscles are yelling. What fuel do you use? Not kale. Not salmon that has been grilled. Instead—a shot of olive oil, a handful of gummy bears, and a slice of pepperoni pizza. Although it may sound strange, this "dirty" diet is a survival tactic and a scientific need for these extreme endurance athletes. Let's examine the intriguing science behind it and learn why great ultra-runners might use junk food as a covert weapon. 🧪 What Fuels an Ultra-Marathoner? It’s Not What You Think! ⚡ Ultra-marathoners engage in races that are far longer than the standard 26.2-mile marathon; they can be 50, 100...