LA Marathon Daily Tip #2 of 5

ONE Cocnut water
Steve, Pre-Race Drinking O.N.E. Coconut Water, His Secret Weapon

I get more questions on how much to eat before, during and after a marathon or race than any other question. Hopefully you have been practicing eating on your long runs during your training. After extensive training, reading and practicing, the following suggestions are based on my personal experience. I am not a nutritionist or a doctor, for an expert opinion seek a qualified professional.

Pre-race day– I eat a balanced diet until Wednesday. Remember that most nutritionists recommend at least 50% of your daily calories come from carbs as part of a balanced diet. I also eat proteins and fats. Of course, you should always try to make most of your carbs complex carbs with fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains.

Wednesday and Thursday, I substantially up my caloric intake and increase the percentage carbs. I am looking for complex carbs, focusing on fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains. I snack all day long. Friday, I go back to regular eating. Saturday I eat light all day then I have a pre-race meal about 6:00 P.M. I am not a huge fan of “Carbo Loading” the night before the race because I already did it Wednesday and Thursday. In fact, I like some meat the night before to firm everything up inside me. That’s my routine.

Race-day– I wake up early to eat my race-day meal of oatmeal, banana and a cup of coffee. I eat this about 2.5 hours before the starting time of the race. I usually bring a Cliff Bar, O.N.E. coconut water, water and to eat and drink before the race. I sip the drinks and eat a little while I wait for the start. I have been staying away from sports drinks the hour before the race to keep blood sugar levels in check. I’ll eat between 200 – 275 calories every hour. This will be different for each one of you depending on your height, weight and gender. Most of you should try to get down at least 100 calories each hour on the course. I usually eat solid food early in the race before going to the gels in the last two hours.

RACE DAY, DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING NOW (it is too late or you are taking chances), eat what you have been practicing eating during your training.

Post-race – Try to get some food in you right away. I look for some protein mixed in with some carbs. I drink some sports drinks and walk around. I’ll wait an hour or two before I eat a larger meal.

Take notes on what you eat to see what worked for you or what didn’t. Learn a pre-race food routine. If you can do this with your fuel you can learn to take the guesswork out of your race, relax and avoid the Bonk (running out of gas).

To see what I ate this morning Click Here

Eat Focused,

Steve Mackel, USA Triathlon Coach

February 26, 2008 | Filed Under Marathon Training, Steve's Posts 

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