What do you eat before a race?

kshadows
kshadows Posts: 1,315 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
My normal running routine involves running in the evening/nighttime, because that's what works for me. I've tried early morning running before and I just can't do it...I'm not awake, I feel like I have no energy, etc.

That said, I am running a 5K on Sunday but it starts at 8am. I normally don't eat for the first hour or two after I wake up (I just have a cup of coffee) because it makes me nauseated. But I also know that going out to run without eating first will leave me feeling awful (I've tried it :-/ ). Any suggestions on what to eat before the 5k? How long before?

Replies

  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    I eat an english muffin with peanut butter. It's a fairly common pre-race meal and sits well with most people. I too only run in the am for a race so I eat it before I leave the house. Typically, it's 1.5 hours later that I have a race.
  • PowerfulHunt
    PowerfulHunt Posts: 281 Member
    Half of a banana & piece of toast with a little peanut butter.
  • emmaxbon
    emmaxbon Posts: 123 Member
    another vote here for toast with peanut butter and a banana
  • DeannaTN
    DeannaTN Posts: 19 Member
    From another evening runner who can't eat early.....peanut butter and honey sandwich
  • jogy
    jogy Posts: 77 Member
    Banana yes but PB, not always. I have a hard time digesting it. Chocolate milk helps. Coffee isn't bad at all but only if you rehydrate yourself as it is a diuretic.
    Maybe you could try the energy supplements that are sold in running shops. They can be in a form of candy, chews, power gel or protein bars. I only used the chews kind but while I was cycling. So this is not an educated opinion.
  • Tillyecl1
    Tillyecl1 Posts: 189 Member
    I struggle really badly with serious stomach problems when I run, so I have started swapping to a liquid diet 3 days before races. On the morning of the race I will have an energy bar (I use the Peanut Powerbar Ride bars because they taste quite nice and don't upset my tummy) and a cup of coffee. I know it sounds crazy but it seems to solve my issues. So I would suggest something like chocolate milkshake or a pre-workout shake rather than actual food (but that's just me, lots of people can eat what they like and are fine, lucky devils).
  • 126siany
    126siany Posts: 1,386 Member
    I've always done well with a piece of toast with peanut butter for a short race. And the coffee!

    I would suggest experimenting the next few days and eat your "pre-race breakfast" before a normal evening run if at all possible. You don't want to find out that your chosen meal disagrees with you on race day!
  • lemurcatta85
    lemurcatta85 Posts: 19
    Banana, but usually only for 10ks and up. I don't like eating first thing in the morning and honestly, don't need to fuel before such a short run.
  • scraver2003
    scraver2003 Posts: 526 Member
    It all depends on what works for you. Bananas always give me heartburn. I get up early so I have time for my coffee, to poo, and to have my dunkin donuts egg and cheese (extra cheese) on a plain toasted bagel at least an hour before the 5k. Works for me every time - but I have to get up early enough to have time to do all that bc I don't eat first thing in the morning, either.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    I struggle really badly with serious stomach problems when I run, so I have started swapping to a liquid diet 3 days before races. On the morning of the race I will have an energy bar (I use the Peanut Powerbar Ride bars because they taste quite nice and don't upset my tummy) and a cup of coffee. I know it sounds crazy but it seems to solve my issues. So I would suggest something like chocolate milkshake or a pre-workout shake rather than actual food (but that's just me, lots of people can eat what they like and are fine, lucky devils).

    My husband has this issue as well and finds that yogurt sits well with him.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    My pre-race breakfast is another in the banana, toast & PB group but I try to eat at least 2 to 3 hrs before the gun goes off. Most of my training runs are first thing in the AM fasted but with most races starting after 8:00AM I'd be starving if I waited until after the race.
  • Lisah8969
    Lisah8969 Posts: 1,247 Member
    Add me to the list...bagel with peanut butter. I add a banana for longer races. I also slowly drink a bottle of water before the race. For your 5k and since you don't do morning runs, I wouldn't eat too much. You don't know if something might not sit well. If you had another week, I would suggest a practice morning (breakfast and run) this week. Or if you do have the time, do one tomorrow morning. It's best never to do something different on race day, but if you have no morning practices runs to compare, everything you do will be different.

    GOOD LUCK!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Depends on the race...for a 5K, a bagel and cream cheese with an apple or banana would probably suffice.

    If I'm doing a 1/2 century or more on my bike I start carb loading a couple of days before hand and usually have a big pasta meal the night before. Pre-race meal is usually pretty small...pretty much as mentioned above for a 5K, but I bring a lot of food with me while I ride. I've also found that getting in a good recovery meal shortly afterwards is helpful.
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    for a 5k i would think something small like banana would be perfect.

    but you could also use one of those post work out mixes. they are actually good before/during/after exercise.

    i don't know much about the preworkout stuff, but a lot of people claim it makes the jittery, which just makes me wonder whats in it. the post work out stuff is just protien and carbs
  • hermann341
    hermann341 Posts: 443 Member
    I normally don't eat before an event that will last less than an hour. I normally will hydrate with a quart of calorie free energy beverage. If I do eat, it needs to be at least 2 hours before, and consists of a two egg omelet with cheese. Plus the hydration.
  • Chain_Ring
    Chain_Ring Posts: 753 Member
    It's only 3.1 miles. I probably wouldn't eat anything. Maybe a toast w/ peanut butter if anything.......
  • gettinthere
    gettinthere Posts: 529 Member
    Banana, but usually only for 10ks and up. I don't like eating first thing in the morning and honestly, don't need to fuel before such a short run.

    I am with you on this one!!
  • Chain_Ring
    Chain_Ring Posts: 753 Member
    Banana, but usually only for 10ks and up. I don't like eating first thing in the morning and honestly, don't need to fuel before such a short run.

    BINGO
  • Odinisgod
    Odinisgod Posts: 46 Member
    5k is a short enough distance you can run on an empty stomach without much of a problem.

    I usually try to eat a banana before my early AM runs (~5k), and that gets me through just fine.

    I've also noticed that I run about a min/mile slower in the early AM, compared to PM runs (for what that's worth).
  • ShibaEars
    ShibaEars Posts: 3,928 Member
    I did a 10K on Sunday. It started at 8:45, I had oatmeal for breakfast around 6:15. This gave me time to digest and go to the bathroom. (I would have oatmeal before a 5k too, but that's because I have to eat breakfast shortly after getting up or else I feel really sick.) For any run I've done, I always give myself a couple hours before to have time to eat and get ready.

    Then - and maybe this isn't recommended - I had a strawberry poptart at 8:15 :laugh: . Maybe not the healthiest choice, but I felt fantastic running that day. Not too hungry, and not too full, and I'm sure the sugars helped give me a bit of an energy boost.
  • handyrunner
    handyrunner Posts: 32,662 Member
    Banana, but usually only for 10ks and up. I don't like eating first thing in the morning and honestly, don't need to fuel before such a short run.

    this...cup of coffee is all I need but for a long run a banana or the PB and toast thing
  • williams969
    williams969 Posts: 2,528 Member
    Banana, but usually only for 10ks and up. I don't like eating first thing in the morning and honestly, don't need to fuel before such a short run.

    this...cup of coffee is all I need but for a long run a banana or the PB and toast thing

    ^^This. I haven't done a race, but I run 4-5K most mornings, nice and early (before the hot, evil sun rears its head). Cuppa joe, and maybe a bowl of cheerios if I feel like I need it. If I feel like a "long" run (still under 10K for me), I'll eat a little more (like a banana w/ my cheerios) and wait a while before running.

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