Runners--What do you eat before races?

Amy_B
Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I'm running my first 10K this coming Saturday. I'm not sure what to eat to help me the most. Any ideas?

Replies

  • Chenoachem
    Chenoachem Posts: 1,758 Member
    When I get up in the morning I have a cup of tea and oatmeal with some yogurt. About 30minutes before the race I have some propell water and a Power Bar Nut Naturals bar.

    It is important to make sure to eat anything new right before a race. If you think you will need more calories for the effort, try out what you are thinking during the week.

    Have a wonderful race. 10K is my favorite distance.
  • emorym
    emorym Posts: 344 Member
    I would eat what you have eaten during your training. Don't do anything new on race day. I usually eat a bowl of cereal. I like to eat at least 1 hour before running. HTH and Good Luck in the race!!!
  • skilleen
    skilleen Posts: 5 Member
    Good luck! Enjoy a bowl of pasta the night before. Spaghetti is perfect. Stay away from dairy and if you need to eat before you run, have a banana and look forward to a big breakfast after your race. This has been my formula for years and usually I'm unable to eat before a race but LOVE eating afterwards.:happy:
  • DrBorkBork
    DrBorkBork Posts: 4,099 Member
    Keep your meal light, but high-quality on calories. Banana, toast with peanut butter, hard boiled egg is a good start. Have a high protein snack ready to rock & roll when you finish the race, and be sure to drink 20 oz of water for every hour you run.
  • somigliana
    somigliana Posts: 314 Member
    I ran a 10K last weekend and had a banana about an hour before the race started--that seemed to do the trick :)
  • FitJoani
    FitJoani Posts: 2,173 Member
    you need id say a cup or less of cereal and carbs the night before...you wont be running for more than an hour and a half MAX id say actualy an hour so u dont need to sweat it. most importantly have FUN!!!! thats what its all about!!!
  • jendykstra67
    jendykstra67 Posts: 252 Member
    I don't run but my daughters do. They eat pasta the night before a race (usually spaghetti) and then they try to have a breakfast with whole grains and some protein and fruit on the day of the race. They stop eating at least an hour before they run.

    Good luck!
  • achek4
    achek4 Posts: 1 Member
    I like to eat a bagel and a banana usually coffee too and water. If its later in the day I usually will eat that for breakfast and then another bagel with little protein on it and some fruit.
  • lisajuly
    lisajuly Posts: 240 Member
    For a 5K, 8K, 5 miler or 10K, I usually just eat mini bagel with peanut butter and some coffee @ 2 hrs before i race.

    If it's a half marathon, I'd have a regular size bagel (plus the pb).

    i don't worry about carb loading the night before shorter races. I usually eat pasta w/some chicken and veggies (but not in a heavy sauce like alfredo) before a half.
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