Look Who's Running the NYC Marathon: 'Top Chef' Richard Blais

Rachel Tepper Paley
·Editor
Updated

Richard Blais runs in the 2013 New York City Marathon. Photo credit: RichardBlais/Twitter

Richard Blais is in good shape these days. He’s a judge on the current season of Top Chef, and on November 24th, he’ll be running in the 44th annual New York City Marathon. As fans of the popular cooking competition know, Blais won Top Chef: All Stars and is the first competitor ever to subsequently become a Top Chef judge. Also, he was 60 pounds heavier a decade ago, but managed to turn things around via exercise and a healthier diet.

The race is 26-plus miles in length, but Blais seems well prepared. He has his pre-race diet down pat (lean meats, grains, and veggies) thanks to having several other marathons under his belt. (As evidence, we submit the several Vine videos Blais shot of himself running in the  Big Apple marathon in 2013.)

We caught up with Blais over email to talk about how he prepared for this year’s event, and how he’ll be celebrating once it’s over. Best of luck, Chef!

What’s your training regimen like?

I run when I can. I travel and work so much that I can’t stick to a concrete schedule, but you have to commit to putting in either cumulative miles or a long run every 10 days.

How many marathons have you run?

This will be my third!

Is anything different this time?

I know the course better, but I’m not as fit as I’d like, so the mental game is different this year.

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Blais goes for a run in New York City. Photo credit: Richard Blais/Instagram

What’s your grub of choice while training?

Grains, veggies, lean meats, vegetable juices.

What about 24 hours before the big day?

Simple, lean protein and rice. I’ve made the mistake in the past to eat too much or too fancy the night before. Burping up charred octopus on race day isn’t something I’d encourage others to experience.

And the morning of?

Half a bagel, peanut butter, half a banana. Thirteen cups of water on the course and four  GU packs.

You must be exhausted afterwards! Where do you go to celebrate?

This year I’m running with my chef de cuisine and we are going to book [a table] at Colicchio & Sons.

Excellent choice. What will you eat?

Steak, everything…

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Last year, Blais posted a photo of himself from his pre-running days. Photo credit: RichardBlais/Instagram.

Seems like training for a marathon and being a chef might be at odds with one another. Are they?

Yes, both require a big time commitment. Throw in being a decent dad and husband, [and] it gets curious…

And have to ask—what’s harder, competing on Top Chef or running a marathon?

Both are marathons!

For more Top Chef stories, read on:
Hugh Acheson Dishes on ‘Top Chef,’ Baseball, and Corn Dogs
Gail Simmons Dishes on Top Chef Season 12, Premiering Tonight
Be Your Own ‘Top Chef’: TV Show Partners with Blue Apron Delivery Service

Have you ever run a marathon? Tell us what you ate to prepare (and celebrate afterwards)!