What to eat beforehand - half marathon?

__Di__

I posted this in one of the running groups, however, the last posting in that group was about three months ago, so I am now reposting in this part of the forum as it is read all the time:

Anybody that has run a half marathon race, what sort of stuff did you eat the day before? Also, what sort of breakfast did you have on the day?

I know you have to carb-load for a marathon, but what about a half?

I have three and a half weeks until my first half, want to do this right and give myself the best possible chance.

When I have ran a 10k race I have just eaten something like an orange and a banana and I have trained up to nine miles on just two bananas, sometimes I have done a fasted run too on those sort of distances, but 13.1 miles is a bit different isn't it lol.

I don't want to flake suddenly, it would not be a pleasant sight!

bert16

Just eat whatever you typically eat before a long run; race day is not the day to try anything new. For me, that's almond butter and raspberry jelly on an English muffin. As for carb loading, I don't think it's necessary for a half, given the shorter duration of the race. Just make sure you take it easy on the fiber / whole grains and anything else that could cause bathroom issues during the race.

Happy running & best of luck in your race! :flowerforyou:

ThickMcRunFast

As far as the morning of - just eat what you're used to eating before long runs. For me that is a banana and peanut butter with some wheat toast. Don't surprise your body with anything on race day!

For a marathon, I tend to carb load 2-3 days before, then eat 'normally' the day before. Nothing high fiber, nothing spicy. A typical dinner would be baked white fish with brown rice and a vegetable. I don't want to be weighed down the day of the race.

A half is a bit different, depending on how long you're going to be out there, you might not need to do a real carb load. The body goes through its glycogen stores in 2-3 hours. Still, I would probably make sure to get 200g or so in the days leading up to the race. Others who race this distance more often might have better advice.

QuietBloom

Day before the race, eat more carbs and drink plenty of water, for a bit of a carb load. On the morning of your race, EAT WHAT YOU NORMALLY WOULD EAT BEFORE A LONG TRAINING RUN. I have learned the hard way, that to experiment with something new the day of the race is NOT wise. Make sure you take an energy gel or two with you to have on the race. Good luck!!

thepetiterunner

Yep! As others have suggested, nothing new the morning of OR the night before. You do not want to spend half your race in GI distress. Just trust me on this one.

Every runner is so different, you're going to have to spend these last few weeks testing (or using what you know works for you) out food. When I first started running races, someone told me: "On Race Day, nothing new, only tried and true."

RunnerElizabeth

You don't need to carb load for a half. Eat whatever you eat the night before a long run. Do make sure to hydrate well the day before. I'm a little lax with my water intake most days, but the day before a 10+ mile run or a race I try to make sure I have at least 3 32oz bottles of water. Making sure I'm hydrated makes a huge difference in my energy and general pain tollerance.

So I use my training to figure out what to eat before a race. Before my first half, I could only have coffee in the morning before a long training run or on race day, before my second I worked up to green smoothies with coffee in them. Now I have coffee, shredded wheat cereal with whole milk and a piece of fruit. Totally keeps me from losing energy, but it took time for my stomach to get on board for full breakfast before a run. Since you have a couple of long runs left, you could always try a bigger breakfast to see if you suffer any adverse effects during your run. But don't do it on race day if you haven't tried before.

takumaku

There is no need to carb load. For me, if I have 4 hours before a race, I just eat a regular meal. However, if I don't, then the closer to race time, the higher the gi the food is and the less fiber it has. White rice, egg whites, and 2 tsp olive oil is my standard prerace meal.

angela828

I have my 2nd half marathon this Sunday and I am all for carb-loading. the day before I eat relatively healthy (and the days leading up to it) and gradually increase my intake. last time for dinner beforehand I made sure to have a good carb filled meal then the morning of the race, i had two bananas and toast w peanut butter I believe.

HYDRATE.Drink lots and lots of water for the couple days before the race and on race day!!!! there are always water stops but you should hydrate anyway.

plus the best thing is what you get to eat AFTER pizza and ice cream for me (my half is at a boardwalk).

I disagree that you do not need to carb-load for a half. some people think its not that big of a thing, but it is. if you are not strongest or fastest runner (like me!) a half is a huge accomplishment and I think eating those carbs beforehand is a huge help. bananas are the way to go though (if youre a regular banana eater like I am). they will prevent cramps!