Before a race?

mad m

Just wondering does anyone know what is the best food,drink to take before a race. Done a few open sea races but need to keep up my energy, seem to get tired fairly quick.

Are those energy drinks any good? Gatorade? etc....

Harris

Bananas are good as far as I know.
My open sea days are a distant memory thank God! Also cover yourself in Vaseline before the race. Keeps the cold out.
Good luck!

mad m

Ah its not too bad at moment for the cold. The cold I can stand, its the bloody jelly fish!!! hehe...Thanks

AngryHippie

Any Isotonic drink will help keep energy levels up, a good solid breakfast, 3-4 hours before helps too, porridge ain't bad, but try it a few days before the race, with a training session at roughly the same time as your comp, just to make sure it doesn't turn into concrete in the guts on ya...

khn10ur3bogzpa

mad m wrote: »

Just wondering does anyone know what is the best food,drink to take before a race. Done a few open sea races but need to keep up my energy, seem to get tired fairly quick.

Are those energy drinks any good? Gatorade? etc....

What do you mean by before the race? 10 minutes, 4 hours? or the week before?

I would suggest that you should think about all three. The week and especially the few days before make sure you bulk up on carbs. Eat extra pasta, bread etc. This will build up your energy reserves for the week. The morning eat what you normally eat. Nothing too fancy.

Just before the race have an energy bar and maybe half a bottle of lucozade sport. Again, however, dont take too much. By eating or drinking too much before a race your just going to be bloated!!

BeachBum25

Ya, definitely nothing too big right before the swim. Too much in your tummy will make you nautious. If energy for the actual swim is your goal, try to focus on 2-3 hours before the start for the bulk of your calories. Then, for quick energy, try power gels or something like those about 30-mins before the start. This will give you a last minute shot of calories without being to bulky in your stomach.

banjobongo

Ive done a few triathlons and open water swims (sea & river) and I have never bothered with those horrible gassy "energy " drinks. Plain water to drink, and bananas to eat, with a decent breakfast a good few hours before the race, ideally porridge, has always been good for me! From reading other websites, the main thing is to be hydrated, ie drink lots, the longer the event the more imporant this is.

tagoona

+1 on avoid the lucozade sport - It can be much too sweet.
Porridge the morning of and banana are the way to go. Good for slow release long term energy.
Maybe some chocolate 20 mins before the race to pump up the glucose levels at the start.