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Rob777
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 Posted: 03/08/04 - 04:34 Post subject: Breakfast: do's and don'ts
Hi everybody
I've got my first half-marathon coming up in a few weeks and I'm trying to avoid having to make any pit-stops on account of a dodgy digestive system. I know everyone's digestive constitution is different but do the experienced runners have any hints and tips on what foods to avoid, what worked for them and what didn't? I'm planning on experimenting a bit with my long runs before race day.
Generally I don't feel like eating much before a race and I avoid all solid food for about 3 hours beforehand so I'm basically looking for a few suggestions on a quick bite to eat an hour or two before the race starts and what benefit they might have, i.e. have a banana because it's broken down easily and the potassium will ...
Any help would be great!
Thanks guys.
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christa0120
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Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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Posted: 03/08/04 - 08:32 Post subject:
I had a peanut butter, banana on whole wheat sandwich before mine.
banana for potassium (an electrolyte) and a carb.
peanut butter for salt and potein and fat
whole wheat bread for carbs. It wasn't too filling that I had issues.
But...Im not an "exprienced marathoner" either. I ran a half mari.
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purple hayes
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Posted: 03/08/04 - 09:18 Post subject:
Avoid large amounts of coffee or caffiene. Nothing says peristaltic contraction* like a an extra large mocha grande right before the race.
*urge to poop
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HYPERASHEL
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Joined: 18 Nov 2003
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Location: The South's Sauna, Atlanta
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Posted: 03/08/04 - 12:22 Post subject:
| purple hayes wrote: | Avoid large amounts of coffee or caffiene. Nothing says peristaltic contraction* like a an extra large mocha grande right before the race.
*urge to poop |
for one thing you probably know how long after coffee you need to be in the bathroom. time it so that you are done prior to that.
a normally eat a banana and bagel with coffee ( only 8 oz )2 hours prior and another bagel within 30 minutes with a mouthful of water for each bite of bagel.
non of this is too heavy for me, not too much coffee, but enough to keep the headache at bay.
The best thing i can say is practice food/drink while you train. what works remember, what does not work, BAN IT from race day.
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kattzoo
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Posted: 03/08/04 - 14:46 Post subject:
Bagel or oatmeal for me. You're doing the right thing by experimenting beforehand. Very smart.
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Noley
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Posted: 03/08/04 - 17:09 Post subject:
Hi Rob777 
I'm not a huge eater before my long runs either.
I had wheat crackers before my first HalfM and a plain bagal before my second.
Both seemed to work for me and I didn't have problems while I raced one bit.
Good Luck!
Be sure to let us know how you did!
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elkid
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Posted: 03/08/04 - 20:21 Post subject:
races 5M or less: XL Dunkin' Donuts coffee with cream, wheat bagel with chive cream cheese, 20 oz water
races 5M-half: L DD coffee with cream, wheat bagel with chive cream cheese, 20 oz water
marathon: L DD coffee with cream, wheat bagel with chive cream cheese, 20 oz water, chocolate brownie ClifBar with Motrin chaser
I'd rather take 30-60 seconds to pee during a race than suffer a caffeine deprivation headache. I'm an "early arriver" so most of it's through my system and digested by race start. Plus I run faster with the extra "jolt". monk has articles on this that were very persuasive.
Chicken parm has also served me very well before longer races. I often call it The Breakfast of Champions - 2 major PRs with that breakfast.
DO NOT eat jalapenos, anything alfredo, or Chinese food the night before, though. VERY bad.
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TimRuns
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Posted: 03/09/04 - 01:01 Post subject:
Avoid any high fibre foods as well as caffeinated drinks on the day before and the few hours before the race. Also avoid drinking milk before the race as it can cause stomach bloating.
I think it's better to have some sort of a small breakfast, preferably high in carbs 3-4 hours before the race. That way you'll have an extra-energy boost for the race. A couple of waffles with maple syrup and some gatorade for pre race bfast works for me.
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Cappy
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Posted: 03/09/04 - 06:09 Post subject:
I always went with a Bagel pre-race. Worked well for me
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Road_Whore
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Posted: 03/11/04 - 17:28 Post subject:
Rob,
I agree with what most have posted here. Stick to foods that are easy to digest, nothing fatty that will sit in your digestive tract for a while. Before a marathon I eat plain rice that I make the night before. It's bland, but really simple and will cause me no issues.
Everyone is a little different, you'll need to find on your own what works best for you.
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HYPERASHEL
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Joined: 18 Nov 2003
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Location: The South's Sauna, Atlanta
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Posted: 03/11/04 - 17:33 Post subject:
| elkid wrote: | races 5M or less: XL Dunkin' Donuts coffee with cream, wheat bagel with chive cream cheese, 20 oz water
races 5M-half: L DD coffee with cream, wheat bagel with chive cream cheese, 20 oz water
marathon: L DD coffee with cream, wheat bagel with chive cream cheese, 20 oz water, chocolate brownie ClifBar with Motrin chaser
I'd rather take 30-60 seconds to pee during a race than suffer a caffeine deprivation headache. I'm an "early arriver" so most of it's through my system and digested by race start. Plus I run faster with the extra "jolt". monk has articles on this that were very persuasive.
Chicken parm has also served me very well before longer races. I often call it The Breakfast of Champions - 2 major PRs with that breakfast.
DO NOT eat jalapenos, anything alfredo, or Chinese food the night before, though. VERY bad. |
Actually i remember reading not long ago where it is reccomended to drink an 8 oz coffee, the aklines in the coffe help neutralize the lactic acid.
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Rob777
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Joined: 17 Feb 2004
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Location: South Africa
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Posted: 03/12/04 - 04:39 Post subject:
Hi people
Thanks to everyone for the informative replies. It's really been a big help to see what worked and what didn't for all of you. I'm doing a 15 km this weekend and I'll give some of the suggestions a try. Might just avoid the coffee though.
Thanks again, and you all take care and have a good weekend.
Rob
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Kimba90
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Posted: 04/07/04 - 19:13 Post subject:
Rob, I just ran my first 1/2 marathon and tried to duplicate what I eat ahead of time.
Unfortuneatly, I had to drive 2 hours to the race. I made my oatmeal pancakes ahead of time, because that was what I have been eating on my long runs prior to the half. My pancakes: 1 cup instant oatmeal, 1 cup of applesauce, 1 egg, 1 scoop protein powder, 1 glop of natural peanut butter. I mix this together, and "fry it". It normally makes 2 pancakes. I usually eat it with a fried egg, and some jam, before long runs. Before the race, I had to take it with me. I managed to eat about 1/2 of one, because I had tummy gurglings going on. I figured half was better than none, and didn't try to eat anymore. I drank my normal 2-3 cups of coffee before I even left home, because I did not want a caffeine withdrawal headache to hit!
I got to the race with tummy gurglings, but once the race started, I didn't have to worry about anything except pace. I think the key is, to try and duplicate whatever meals have worked for you on the long runs, stay with them. Good luck!
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runaroundsue
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Posted: 04/08/04 - 10:01 Post subject:
I really don't worry about eating the morning of....except marathons. Oatmeal and/or banana
All distances---caffiene baby!!! If I wake a few hours before the race....I slam as much as I can and go back to bed. when I get up...my system is ready to flush
The big thing is not eating too late the night before a marathon. Disney, I ate at 9:00 and the race starts at 6:00.....oh the woes!!!! I swear I haven't been right since.
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