Question for my RUNNING friends... fueling for a Half or Ful

AZTrailRunner
AZTrailRunner Posts: 1,199 Member
edited October 2 in Fitness and Exercise
Here's the dilemma.... I already know how to fuel for an upcoming race, but my questions is about fueling the morning of the race.... specifically, I need ideas for non-cooked foods on race morning. I'll be camping out the night before an upcoming Half, and won't have access to stove/ toaster/ microwave.

I don't love bagels, but may have to go there.

Veteran runners, give me some ideas for race morning foods that don't require heating. thanks!!!!

Replies

  • joehempel
    joehempel Posts: 1,543 Member
    While I'm no veteran runner, what about Bagel and raw vegetables like Cucumbers and the like?

    I've gotta learn how to fuel up for my half-so I'll be watching this thread!
  • Flyntiggr
    Flyntiggr Posts: 898 Member
    you can't toast someting over the campfire? :)

    Since you can't do bagels, what about something like the peanut butter and honey uncrustables made by Smuckers? all you have to do is thaw them. Or make your own?
  • scraver2003
    scraver2003 Posts: 526 Member
    Before my HM that I did on Sunday - I stopped at D & D and got an egg & cheese on an english muffin. Can you stop somewhere? I find bagels too heavy to run on - but that's just me. My friend was eating sausage on a stick at a fair the night before. :sick: Which actually... I guess you could do some turkey sausage over a campfire??
  • ChRiStA_1983
    ChRiStA_1983 Posts: 380 Member
    I personally like Shreddies, or a multi-grain type of cereal on race mornings....Although, you'll probably want to be cautious about the amount of fiber that you're consuming, if you know what I mean! lol

    I also often eat a banana (the potassium helps prevent cramps)....You could always do a peanut butter and banana sandwich?

    Good luck!
  • crystalgreear
    crystalgreear Posts: 10 Member
    I really like the Odwalla Chocolate Chip Peanut bars before a race. They are filling and have a good combo of carbs and protien.
  • staceyseeger
    staceyseeger Posts: 778 Member
    you can't toast someting over the campfire? :)

    Since you can't do bagels, what about something like the peanut butter and honey uncrustables made by Smuckers? all you have to do is thaw them. Or make your own?

    I love Uncrustables, especially on long bike rides. Never thought a frozen PB & J would taste so good.
  • Deathwithab
    Deathwithab Posts: 462 Member
    granola and bananas or bring a pan and cook some eggs on a fire?
  • runnermel
    runnermel Posts: 278
    I would throw two slices of whole wheat toast on the grill if there is a fire going that am, and then add PB. if not, I would go with one of the snickers marathon bars, or something like that. I am such a fanatic about my pb toast before a long run, that I would just have it anyway, even it is room temp. a little dab of honey helps also!!
  • Sweet_Pandora
    Sweet_Pandora Posts: 459 Member
    Whatever you decide I would suggest giving it a "test run". Eat what you are going to take with you before a long run so you know how your body is going to react.

    You don't want to try something new on race day.

    Have a great run!

    K
  • minnesota
    minnesota Posts: 204 Member
    So since we are runners this may seem completely unhealthy and ridiculous, but there was a recent study that coffee and donuts are a perfect prerace meal. Something about the sugar and caffeine combination. That may sound crazy and not be your thing though. I tried finding where I read this, but didn't have any luck. I'm sure it was in Runner's World or some other runners magazine.

    Othewise I would stick to a smoothie- bananas, fruit juice and milk. It's easy on your stomach and provides a lot of energy. You can make it at home and then just keep it in a cooler on ice.

    Good luck to you!
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    I race most everything on an empty stomach. If I eat anything it would be from the gel/gu/blok family or maybe some gummy bears or tootsie rolls. The pure sugar stuff is ok with me anything else and I'm risking cramps.
  • cariandy
    cariandy Posts: 175 Member
    I like the banana and peanut butter sanwich..easy and good on the tummy.. oh ya..and a coffee..but then again..you don't drink coffee..maybe you can find a Chai tea somewhere :wink: (not that I'm a veteran, I'm newbie! but you know that..)
  • Topsking2010
    Topsking2010 Posts: 2,245 Member
    Bump
  • atsteele
    atsteele Posts: 1,358 Member
    My quickie breakfast before a long run is sometimes just sports beans or an Entenmann's Multi Grain chocolate chip cereal bar. Or sometimes just one of those Gatorade PreGame fuels (orange).
  • atsteele
    atsteele Posts: 1,358 Member
    While I'm no veteran runner, what about Bagel and raw vegetables like Cucumbers and the like?

    I've gotta learn how to fuel up for my half-so I'll be watching this thread!

    Raw veggies before a run would probably "kill" me. LOL (Too much fiber.)
  • crux
    crux Posts: 454 Member
    I'd be bringing protein powder & milk for a shake, along with peanut butter & banana or nutella & bananna in a white wheat wrap. All disposable and no cooking, I find plain white wraps sit less heavy in my stomach than bagels, bread or whole grain wraps.
  • rachel5576
    rachel5576 Posts: 429 Member
    i would eat something light and definitely something you have tried before race day. My stomach was too excited for my first half i couldn't eat hardly anything. This time i will probably just have a gel before hand and the same to fuel on the way.
  • CyclingDiva
    CyclingDiva Posts: 492 Member
    I personally like Shreddies, or a multi-grain type of cereal on race mornings....Although, you'll probably want to be cautious about the amount of fiber that you're consuming, if you know what I mean! lol

    I also often eat a banana (the potassium helps prevent cramps)....You could always do a peanut butter and banana sandwich?

    Good luck!

    I love banana's, almond butter and a protien shake. I have learned NOT to eat eggs or dairy products such as milk before a run...NOT GOOD!!! LOL!!!
    I love this thread and hope to get a few more helpful hints with my training and marathon run coming up in December! :happy:
  • millionsofpeaches
    millionsofpeaches Posts: 372
    Pre race...

    I will eat a peanut butter, honey, and banana sandwich and or oatmeal w/ honey and fruit mixed in.
    It is a quick sugar:complex carbohydrate ratio for me.

    I have ran a 4 half marathons soon to be 5 and 1 full marathon.
  • millionsofpeaches
    millionsofpeaches Posts: 372
    So since we are runners this may seem completely unhealthy and ridiculous, but there was a recent study that coffee and donuts are a perfect prerace meal. Something about the sugar and caffeine combination. That may sound crazy and not be your thing though. I tried finding where I read this, but didn't have any luck. I'm sure it was in Runner's World or some other runners magazine.

    Othewise I would stick to a smoothie- bananas, fruit juice and milk. It's easy on your stomach and provides a lot of energy. You can make it at home and then just keep it in a cooler on ice.

    Good luck to you!

    I can see the logic behind the doughnuts... Complex carbs and sugar... However, coffee before running gives me heartburn. It also makes me well regular. No pooping while running.
  • Jess22542
    Jess22542 Posts: 66
    You can try hard boiled eggs. Cook them ahead of time and keep them in a cooler. Obvious choices are granola bars, cereal, etc.Trail mix is another great option. You can even make it yourself ahead of time to customize it to your preferences (you can find recipes online, but think nuts, dried fruit, etc).
  • Legs_McGee
    Legs_McGee Posts: 845 Member
    Clif Bar - Peanut Toffee Buzz is my favorite
  • DizzieLittleLifter
    DizzieLittleLifter Posts: 1,020 Member
    This is what *I* would do :wink: make an almond butter and jelly sand a big (12oz?) glass of chocolate (with protein powder) milk (keep cold in a cooler with ice) and an orange. You make want to make two sand. as you are much bigger than I lol.
  • ennaejay
    ennaejay Posts: 575
    Make your own Larabars. You can put whatever you want in 'em.

    Do a search for "Who Likes Larabars?" in the forum, I posted a few quick ideas a couple weeks ago. Good blend of carbs, protein, and fats.

    You'll be fine, lots of people run on E.
  • AZTrailRunner
    AZTrailRunner Posts: 1,199 Member
    Lots of great ideas so far!!! Thank you everyone.

    These ideas triggered a breakfast choice I used to have in the past.... a simple PB & honey on whole wheat, and a banana on the side.

    I'm pretty sure our forests are still under fire restrictions, so I won't be making a fire, and don't want to drag the camp stove out for a quick over-nighter.

    Thanks all!
  • Mrs_TrimWaistFatWallet
    Mrs_TrimWaistFatWallet Posts: 486
    Whole wheat bread with peanut or almond button and jelly. Totally the only way to go..
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