Boards.ie

HOS 1997 · 12-07-2012, 20:59

I have an eight mile race coming up next week. It's at 5pm and I am wondering what I should eat during the day of the race? Can some please advise the best food I should eat?

menoscemo · 12-07-2012, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOS 1997

I have an eight mile race coming up next week. It's at 5pm and I am wondering what I should eat during the day of the race? Can some please advise the best food I should eat?

Just have you normal lunch between 1-2pm. I would personally never eat anything within 3 hours of a race.
Your body holds enough glycogen to last around 18-20 miles so for an 8 mile race you don't have to do anything special.
Some people like to sip a sports drink an hour or so before the race, but the key is not to do anything that you normally wouldn't do. Assuming you have done some training runs, just do what you would normally do before them.

**Oryx** · 12-07-2012, 22:49

As mentioned, don't do anything different on race day. Your pre race prep should be exactly the same as your pre training prep. Some people carb load but for that distance you don't need it. Stick to what you already do and you'll be fine, don't feel you have to eat extra to cope with the race.

The Guvnor · 13-07-2012, 08:16

Top advice above!

Race day is never the day for trying something new as from experience more often than not it throws you off mentally if not physically.

A 5pm race would mean your day is pretty much as it should be and your first few meals should be as they always are.

Best of luck.

HOS 1997 · 13-07-2012, 20:02

Cheers for the advice folks!

The Guvnor · 13-07-2012, 22:50

Let us know how you get on!

nice_guy80 · 13-07-2012, 23:33

would you not need to load up on slow release carbs for 2 days before a race like that?
ie wholegrain pasta and rice

menoscemo · 14-07-2012, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by nice_guy80

would you not need to load up on slow release carbs for 2 days before a race like that?
ie wholegrain pasta and rice

No, it's only 8 miles.
Even for a marathon (or longer) I am not convinced of the need to 'carbo-load'. There is only so much Glycogen the body can hold and everything else will just weigh you down and leave you sluggish.

**Oryx** · 14-07-2012, 14:42

You could run that distance on empty if you had to. The body is tougher and can cope with more than we give it credit for.

**Mellor** · 15-07-2012, 04:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by nice_guy80

would you not need to load up on slow release carbs for 2 days before a race like that?
ie wholegrain pasta and rice

Tying more petrol in the car doesn't make it faster.

12-07-2012, 20:59	#1
HOS 1997 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 232 Adverts \| Friends	Food before race I have an eight mile race coming up next week. It's at 5pm and I am wondering what I should eat during the day of the race? Can some please advise the best food I should eat?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

12-07-2012, 22:49	#3
Oryx Made of Ticky Tacky Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: On the hillside Posts: 13,178 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Health & Fitness, Paranormal, Sex & Sexuality, Spirituality	As mentioned, don't do anything different on race day. Your pre race prep should be exactly the same as your pre training prep. Some people carb load but for that distance you don't need it. Stick to what you already do and you'll be fine, don't feel you have to eat extra to cope with the race.

13-07-2012, 08:16	#4
The Guvnor Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 2,299 Adverts \| Friends	Top advice above! Race day is never the day for trying something new as from experience more often than not it throws you off mentally if not physically. A 5pm race would mean your day is pretty much as it should be and your first few meals should be as they always are. Best of luck.

13-07-2012, 20:02	#5
HOS 1997 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 232 Adverts \| Friends	Cheers for the advice folks!

13-07-2012, 22:50	#6
The Guvnor Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 2,299 Adverts \| Friends	Let us know how you get on!

13-07-2012, 23:33	#7
nice_guy80 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Midlands Posts: 1,924 Adverts \| Friends	would you not need to load up on slow release carbs for 2 days before a race like that? ie wholegrain pasta and rice

14-07-2012, 14:42	#9
Oryx Made of Ticky Tacky Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: On the hillside Posts: 13,178 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Health & Fitness, Paranormal, Sex & Sexuality, Spirituality	You could run that distance on empty if you had to. The body is tougher and can cope with more than we give it credit for.