Pre race meal - Triathlon Week

tinaczech29 · 05-13-2006, 04:49 AM

Hi, I'm just wondering what a good pre-race meal would be. My race starts at 9am with packet pick up between 7:30-8:30am. My race consists of a 0.3 mile swim, 20 mile bike and 3 mile run. This is my first tri so I don't want to yak in the lake.

Also, how early should I eat? Thanks for all your help.

Tina

hmullett · 05-13-2006, 05:54 AM

I typically eat on the way to the race. I'll eat a banana, english muffin or bagel, and coffee. You want to stay away from fiber dense food. There's also a pre performance drink from Cytomax that's pretty good. Good luck and welcome to racing!

sfricks · 05-13-2006, 05:57 AM

Hi Tina,
Eat whatever you ate in training. Chances are if it worked for you then, it'll work during the race.

Most of the time I do not eat before a Sprint Tri. I carbo load the day(s) leading up and sip on sports drink the night before and morning of to top off muscle glygogen stores. When I do feel the need to eat before an event, I prefer Cream of Wheat. It's extremely simple to digest, not heavy, can be flavored to taste (I'm a simple salt & sugar guy) and is NOT fiberous so no mad port-a-potty dashes. The best part? Cooks in 2.5 minutes! If you decide to try this avoid cooking with milk and keep the sugar light to avoid the mid event sugar crash. As a rule consume very little milk/cheeze products before the event as well.

Good luck in your race and let us know what you ate, if it worked for you and how you did!

Celia · 05-14-2006, 04:19 PM

I always drink a protein shake and eat fruit, I've often seen oatmeal recommended too. Definatly keep to bland foods--you don't want that taste to come back to haunt you. But the last post was good whatever works in training, should work on race day. Good luck Celia

SporaticSue · 05-15-2006, 09:37 PM

Tina, I see you're in Northern MI... My first tri was in Lake Michigan in Milwaukee in August and the water temp was about 58 degrees. I had only trained in a pool up until then and I still have to laugh at what a shock it was to jump in!! Good luck! You'll have to let us know how it goes!!