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2013-07-31 3:33 PM

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Subject: Race day food conundrum
Hey folks,

I'm looking for peoples insight on managing their breakfast on race day. I haven't had enough races to figure out what works best for me. My issue is this: I wake up at 4 to eat breakfast, drive to the event which starts at 7. By 7 I'm hungry and want to eat a full meal.

Is it better to have a small meal when I awake and pack something (like a sandwich) for the trip? Or just eat a large breakfast and then eat a cliff bar before hand?

Additionally, how much nutrition do you bring with you for an Olympic distance? I've been practicing but I always start to feel really hungry on my rides. During a 30mile training ride, I tried eating a portion of a gel package every 20min (too much at once makes me ill) and even then I still felt starved after about 20miles. I ended up stopping and eating a cliff bar to finish the last 10miles.

What works for you - Do you chow down a snack before the swim? T1? T2? during the bike? or both bike/run?


Thanks


2013-07-31 3:39 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Race day food conundrum
Something doesn't sound right about needing a gel every 20 minutes on a 30 mile standalone ride - and still being hungry. How long did that ride take and how long before the ride did you last eat?

One more thing, if taking in gels is difficult, have you tried a gel flask and diluting them with some water? This is about the only way I can get those things down.





Edited by Goosedog 2013-07-31 3:43 PM
2013-07-31 4:17 PM
in reply to: Goosedog

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Subject: RE: Race day food conundrum
I'm pretty slow. It takes me about 2.5 hours to do a hilly 30mile route.
This is the route I did the day I tried some gel every 20min. It took me about 2.5 hours total (I stopped for a snack as mentioned, as well as I moved a turtle off the road).

2013-07-31 4:18 PM
in reply to: Goosedog

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Subject: RE: Race day food conundrum
Originally posted by Goosedog

Something doesn't sound right about needing a gel every 20 minutes on a 30 mile standalone ride - and still being hungry. How long did that ride take and how long before the ride did you last eat?

One more thing, if taking in gels is difficult, have you tried a gel flask and diluting them with some water? This is about the only way I can get those things down.




I don't think it was a whole gel packet, because she mentioned a portion - saying too much at a time made her sick...

what about something a bit more solid but designed for athletes like the jellybeans; stinger waffles; powerbars etc...
2013-07-31 4:37 PM
in reply to: LPJmom

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Subject: RE: Race day food conundrum
Is it just my browser but did the messages get mushed together?



2013-07-31 4:44 PM
in reply to: LPJmom

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Subject: RE: Race day food conundrum
Originally posted by LPJmom

Is it just my browser but did the messages get mushed together?






i think BT has gremlins...some threads look fine - others are mushed together


2013-07-31 5:06 PM
in reply to: austhokie

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Subject: RE: Race day food conundrum
I'll try again...


This is the route I traveled on the day I tested a gel every 20min. It was not an entire gel. About 1/3 of a package.
It takes me about 2.5 hours to do 30 min on a hilly route (yes, i'm slow).
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/248900173

2013-07-31 5:11 PM
in reply to: LPJmom

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Subject: RE: Race day food conundrum
Originally posted by LPJmom

I'll try again...


This is the route I traveled on the day I tested a gel every 20min. It was not an entire gel. About 1/3 of a package.
It takes me about 2.5 hours to do 30 min on a hilly route (yes, i'm slow).
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/248900173




that was seriously weird...lol! I just saw what you meant...

honestly, everyone is going to be different - the standard that I have seen re: 3 hours prior to the race, is to make sure it is all digested (or the majority so) prior to the race starting - that being said, I tend to have something right before the race - like half a bagel/some protein shake - but not everyone can do that

there is a really good thread started yesterday about IM nutrition - while not all of it will apply, you might get some ideas about other stuff to try/intervals to try it at
2013-07-31 6:40 PM
in reply to: LPJmom

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Subject: RE: Race day food conundrum
Try non solid food. If you're hungry you need the calories. I know for long bike days and for IM I will drink 2 or 3 Ensure in order to have the calories necessary, but not the need to "eliminate" my breakfast.
2013-07-31 7:13 PM
in reply to: LPJmom

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Subject: RE: Race day food conundrum
Everyone is different but I would eat more easily digestible food for breakfast and then do with gels and gatorade. My stomach doesn't do well with eating on the go so I just drink some gatorade every now and then just deal with the hungry feeling. You can always imagine the person in front of you as a big hamburger to give you more inspiration to push.
2013-07-31 8:20 PM
in reply to: #4818087

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Subject: RE: Race day food conundrum
I usually eat a bagel for breakfast and then try to eat a Cliff bar or something similar whilst setting up transition.

For an Olympic distance I usually go with gels and a bottle of Ironman Perform on the bike. I eat one gel before the swim( washed down with water) I put one in by bike shoe and eat it in T1 and another in my running shoe and eat it in T2 - it's simple and it works for me.


2013-07-31 8:37 PM
in reply to: LPJmom

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Subject: RE: Race day food conundrum
i usually just do a cup of yogurt and a protein shake. in the shake i will have a banana, 20-30g of whey protein, and almond milk.
2013-07-31 9:55 PM
in reply to: LPJmom

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Subject: RE: Race day food conundrum
4 AM before a 7 AM race is pretty early. I would probably just eat a normal breakfast (cereal, toast, coffee), and bring an energy bar to the race in case I felt hungry before the start. For Olympics, I normally have a gel on the bike. Sometimes I do it all at once, and sometimes go through it in stages. I usually carry another one (a different flavor that has electrolytes added as I usually just drink water on the run--all kinds of weird and unpalatable sports drinks get served at events in SE Asia); sometimes I have it, and sometimes I don't. I'm kind of a minimalist when it comes to nutrition--most people would have more for an Oly, but this is plenty for me. I haven't bonked even if I don't have the second gel. They take me about 2:40 and I'm 115 pounds; guessing someone bigger or out there longer would want a bit more.
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