How do you carb load before an event??

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2006-03-03 10:35 PM

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Subject: How do you carb load before an event??
Just trying to get some ideas on how to carb load the days before and the day of a tri!




Edited by blessteve 2006-03-03 10:50 PM

2006-03-03 10:57 PM
in reply to: #360657

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Master
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Subject: RE: How do you carb load before an event??

I'm sure there are wiser folks than me about this, but my strategy seems to do ok. I start loading up on pasta on Tuesday for a Saturday race. Spaghetti for supper on Tuesday night. Usually eat out for pasta on Wednesday. Thursday is lasagna or pizza. Friday dinner is pretty light (last race it was just spaghetti with sauce the night before), but I try to make sure it's over at least 12 hours before the race starts.

Read somewhere that the most important meal before a race is lunchtime the day before. Since I work from home on Fridays, I usually have some plain spaghetti with marinara or even some Spaghetti Os. Pretty cheap meal, and loaded with carbs.

2006-03-03 11:05 PM
in reply to: #360657

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Subject: RE: How do you carb load before an event??
Depends on the distance....I always think of carbo-loading as being overrated...sprint distance <1:30 I dont do it at all I stick to my normal 40-30-30 diet and maybe the night before the race I'll eat a little more carbs but not go calorie crazy and it will be low GI....Olympic distance I might start eating a higher carb ratio Thursday for a Saturday race more like 60-30-10 but still I would stick to low GI carbs for the most part avoiding the pastas etc that personally weigh heavy on my stomach. Even before my Iron distance I did a minimal amount of high gi/white pasta and had plenty of energy throughout the day.


Edited by soupaman 2006-03-03 11:07 PM
2006-03-03 11:15 PM
in reply to: #360657

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Subject: RE: How do you carb load before an event??
A loaded chicken burrito at Moe's Southwest around 4pm on Friday (for a Sat 7-9am start). I have only done sprints, but no "bonking" so far. Also make sure to hydrate enough (and often) the day before and morning of. You will hear many different methods, nobody is wrong, we are just all different. Many people talk about bread and butter, pasta, Ensure, water, extra salt, sodium/potassium, the list goes on...you will find out what works for you. Just don't eat a huge breakfast before the event so you won't be loaded down, and more importantly you won't have to worry about "going" right before the start.
2006-03-03 11:26 PM
in reply to: #360657

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Subject: RE: How do you carb load before an event??

Race like you train..so eat a normal diet.

Many folks eat way to many carbs in order to carbo load and end up feeling bloated and not great for their race. Or like me the pack on a few pounds while having the freedom to eat more.

2006-03-04 12:33 AM
in reply to: #360657

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Subject: RE: How do you carb load before an event??
I dont particularly carbo load either... But I eat a lot of carbs all the time. My race day brekfast is usually oatmeal fruit and some milk. I am a proponet of eating one way all the time. I have changed my diet and gotten HUGE GI issues.


2006-03-04 1:51 AM
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Subject: RE: How do you carb load before an event??
I'm with Kathy on this one. Race like you train. No good to try something new come race day or the night before. I have a pretty high CHO diet anyway, low GI helps. I like to make sure I have a healthy day before my race, lots of water and lots of vegies & usually pasta. 3 proper meals which can be difficult on a Saturday given I'm not in routine like when at work during the week.

Breakfast has been hit and miss for me, but I finally found that I can stomach a banana, powerbar or a museli breakfast type bar without seeing it all at the end. Charming I know, but it happened cos one race I didn't get it right!
2006-03-04 2:12 AM
in reply to: #360657

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Subject: RE: How do you carb load before an event??
I don't carb load but I know there are benefits but the timing of eating the carbs and what kind of carbs you eat are very important.
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