Maybe because I just got back from vacation, which included dining out for every meal, so I was eating things I normally wouldn't...
I have been thinking a lot today about what others are fueling themseves with before they run. I understand that this sort of thing requires a lot of trial and error and it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.
I know that I feel stronger on long runs when I have pasta with sausage. I have experimented with ground beef and it just doesn't have the same effect. But does it make sense to have that for dinner every Friday night? What else is there to eat to add variety yet keep me strong?
I want to make wise fuel choices that will help increase my performance.
What works for you?
5 comments:
Before Marathons, I typically have a steak and a big Baked Potato. I also have a potato the two days out as well.
On non-marathon pre-race dinners, I usually have some sort of pasta (either Chinese or regular spaghetti), but now that we are experimenting with a Gluten Free diet, I will have to switch to rice noodles. This will also affect my pre-race breakfast of bagel and PB, but I am sure that I will work something out.
I also try to eat a little "more" than normal, but don't go overboard with serving size.
Terry and I have the same pre-marathon meal! Steak and baked potato (of course, I have only done one marathon).
Pre-long-run, though, I just try to eat something "good" and "healthy" for dinner the night before. Nothing too wild. That's for afterwards!
Breakfast is always oatmeal.
I will have to try your pasta and sausage. It sounds amazing!
Maddy - I love your devotion to pasta and sausage and if it works for you, stick with it! I would stick with the pasta - how about an amatriciana (bacon) sauce sometimes? The health nuts aren't going to love it but you do need to work out what works for you. I'm definitely a pasta girl pre-races but play it safe with just tomato sauce.. I think you probably want to put your variety into your post-race meal, not your pre-race meal - if you've found out what works, stick with it.
A variety of things have worked for my pre-race dinner as long as they've not been too spicy, fatty or dairy-laden, and have been eaten fairly early, say, before 6pm. I don't usually eat red meat so I stay clear before a race: pasta with a relatively plain sauce, veggie pizza with some but not too much cheese, large chicken salad with potato or bread for extra carbs, chicken or turkey sandwich/sub, even a hearty soup with chicken and bread or potatoes. Sometimes while on travel w/o a rental car all I have access to is a Subways or 7-11 ...
Breakfast is usually the same though: 2 bagels, banana and coffee. During a marathon, gels, a familiar sports drink and/or just water.
Runners World (in an e-mail) gave us a beef and turkey sausage chili recipe! So maybe sausage is not such a bad thing after all...
Just don't tell my Doctor...
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