Question:As the subject suggests, I'm after any helpful advice about
what I should eat before running a half-marathon??
I have been in one half-marathon before and while not a
particularly fast time (1 hour 38 minutes), I found that
I got quite hungry during the race. I usually run in 10 km
races and don't eat much at all before running, because I
tend to think that it will "weigh me down" or give me
stomach pains. Has anyone got any helpful advice about eating
before races (and drinking) and also; how much does sleep
before a race effect the performance??
Answer:
Everyone is different so you should try a few different things while you
train. I have had good luck with a nonfat fruit yoghert and a bagel and/or
piece of fruit about 1 hour before running longer races. I also drink
gatorade and eat a small amount of a sports bar during long races. I have
found that this really helps especially in the 12-26 mile range where your
muscles are adequately trained and they just need enough glucose. A friend
suggested eating a small piece of the sports bar about every half hour so
that glycogen never gets depleted. This has worked well for me. By the way I
never drink water or eat during 10k's, I think it's a waste of time in such
a short race.
Eat a whole PowerBar 60 minutes before the Half, and drink
plenty of water, pissing every 15 minutes before race starts.
Of course, YMMV. PowerBars are designed to be consumed "on the
run" and have never weighed me down. Try this on your daily
training runs first of course, esp. before your LSD runs.
None. It's the night before the night before when you need your
best rest. The night before a big race is hard to relax and
get a good sleep. I never do, ever.
I can't remember where I learnt this, but I always have honey on toast, and
black coffee for breakfast before running a half. It works for me.
