The Grand Prix Of Food

[AyrTown Centa]

I was just wondering what people out there eat before half marathons and longer runs. Do they eat pasta and rice the night before? What do you eat before a run.

Has anyone use carbo gel and if so, did they feel it was a benefit?

Is there anything (Except alcohol) that anyone out there has drank or eaten beforehand that has had adverse affects.

And Finally ... What should you eat or drink afterwards to help you recover. I presume 10 pints in the local isn't the best

[Kevan]

The old ones are the best .

I would apreciate advice on this matter too as my prep for races is pants.

[tokenenglishman]

As usual there doesn't seem to be an easy answer, as what suits one person doesn't suit another etc
Before a race
I found it best to try out different foods before a long training run and soon found that cereal and milk could lead to new employment in the pebble dashing trade.
I never drank anything during training runs, couldn't be bothered with carrying water, though I never ran for longer than 2 hours at a time ( could explain poor marathon performances)
After race
Important to get carbs down yer neck asap as well as plenty of fluids.The kids sweeties go down a treat if you can put up with the wailing when they catch you with a mouthful of jellybabies
In short, find out what what carbs suit you, lay off fatty foods and drink hunners.
I would also like to hear about carbo gel, as we never had that when I was a boy

[ConnellD]

I find your views interesting on the Carbs after training rather than before. I read an article suggesting that you should eat the carbs the night before, but I would have been a bad idea as your energy rush is going to be just before you sleep. You wouldn't want to eat pasta in the morning of the big run as that would be churning around in the stomach during the run. So is it more a case of choosing the right carbs?

I bought the carbo gel for a marathon this year, but chickened out of using it. I didn't like the thought of puking up orange syrup during the run , but I saw many runners carrying it. I've also tried dextrose tablets which seemed OK, but as soon as you do a faster race, that also make you want to gag.

Also, I've felt ill a few times after a race. I don't if anyone else is had a very dodgy stomach after the race. The other time I felt light headed, but I put it down to lack of fluids/sugar. That's probably where the Jelly Babies should be eaten. But, what about the protein afterwards to aid recovery; is that a myth or does it apply more to weight training than cardio?

The water issue is the only thing I have an answer to. In a marathon, if there's a water stop, use it. And if there's an energy drink stop, use it also. If they give you the energy drink in the queezy bottle, make sure your hydrated before you drink it or you've a 80% chance of seeing the first mouthful coming up the way again. When your throat is dry, you've already been dehydrated for about a mile, so whether it's as much water as you can down or just a few sips, drink water throughout.

However, like the rest of the people on this post, I would like to more on Carbohydrates (esp. Gel) and Proteins.

CD

[gunn]

I took gels for the first time in my recent marathon and found they were fine , I took the SIS orange ones , as to whether they work or not , It may be the fact that your taking them makes you think they work (if that makes sense) or maybe they do help you ....
Time will tell , I'm going to try them again on my next marathon and see.

Only problem I have with them is carrying them for 26 miles ... pain in the a**e

[ConnellD]

A lot of people had belts that carried stuff like carbo gel etc. I think I chose the wrong day to start using them (Edinburgh was hot) so someone advised me to stay clear. I'm gonna try them beforehand next time, see if they work. It'll be London in late April so hopefully it'll be a bit cooler.

Thanks for your help and good luck with your next marathon.

CD

[KillieBoy]

Connell-i'm no expert on the subject and i would say its horses for courses so find out what works best for you during your long runs,i would def try gels out 1st in training rather than taking for the 1st time during a race.I will be trying these out in training during the winter in preparation for the Lochaber Marathon.

Most people would advise carbo loading in the last few days leading up to a marathon,i'm not sure what the % intake of carbos should be but there does become a point where the body cannot store any more of the complex carbohydrates i.e starchy foods which help with your energy levels lasting for longer periods.
The energy gels are normally made of simple carbohydrates i.e sugars which give you a short term energy boost so most people will take them in the 2nd half of the race.

this is actually turning into quite a decent thread with some serious replies so......how about a Killie Pie to carbo load on?

[ConnellD]

Yeah KillieBoy,

That makes sense to me (Hence the Pasta Suppers held the night before). I was thinking of Carbohydrates as a quick energy burst (like Carbo Gel) rather than Carbo Loading beforehand, hence why I was confused. But if you store it beforehand, then you body should be able to burn the energy throughout the run.

I'm not sure about the Killie Pie though. I think if you chuck away the pastry, it would be more suitable for the Atkins Diet ;D

So overall, a good result. The week before a marathon you should mainly rest and eat lot's of stodge. Almost makes the month's of training and torture worthwhile

Cheers
CD

[KillieBoy]

not sure about being worthwhile-after a couple of days eating rice,pasta,bread and baked potatoes i start to get a bit fed up trying to eat more,it all becomes a bit of an effort but worth it if the outcome is a decent marathon run.

also i'm not sure what is the correct thing to eat afterwards but i'm a firm believer in your body will tell you what it needs to replace energy consumed-norm for me its a load of crappy food (that rules out "THE AWARD WINNING KILLIE PIE") ;D

[ConnellD]

I knew Killie had won a prize for something to do with football. I forgot however that it was the half time pies.

The "IF the outcome is a decent marathon run" is a good point though. Considering I would have no intention in doing more than one in a year you've got to get it right and it would be sad if you had a crap run because of too little (or too much) spaghetti.

[Kevan]

Does all this good advice only apply to marathons. I guess i wont be as important for a 10k as it is less demanding. would i be right? What about half's? Carbo load for half the time that would for a marathon? That seems too simple.

Summary for nice but dim me: Complex carbohydrates in the build up to race e.g. pasta, rice, bread, potatoes.

Sugar during the race e.g. haribo sour mix, jelly babies or carbo gel (dont use for the first time in a race in case it makes you vomit )

Whatever you want after the race except killie pies because they should be savoured and eaten with respect and not gorged by an emaciated runner.

Does that sound about right?

[ConnellD]

Kev,

I like your idea of applying common sense.

I would presume as 10k's (and other short runs) are usually ran at night (excluding Turkey Trot which I'm sure you will have an adequate carbo load from xmas dinner), Carbo load can be done at lunchtime with an approximate 160 Cal snack an hour before run. It's rare for any water stops to exist and nae carbo gel for definite.

Half Marathons are mainly during the day, so I would say Carbo Load the day before should be adequate with a breakfast /snack on the day. Use all water stops and keep yourself hydrated and maybe chewable sweets (as long as they don't make you gag for the end of race)

That only leaves Marathons which you should take the advise of TK, KB and Gunn. If you're trying out anything new, (Carbo Gel, Dextrose Tablets, Jelly Tots etc) take them out on a trial run.

And Finally ... Leave The Killie Pies for special occasions!!