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Sep 2015
8:44am, 25 Sep 2015
1,566 posts
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Mark J
So I know there's a plethora of standard advice out there for pre-race diet rituals and best practices but I'd like to know what "normal" human beings actually do, and what actually works. So I thought I'd go for the less than scientific approach and ask you lot.
Things I'd like to know:
1/ Do you follow a strict pre-race diet pattern? Carb loading, fat loading, other?
2/ How far out from the race do you start it?
3/ Do you give up specific things and how afr out for those too?
4/ Have you tried various diets and have plumped for one because it gave you proven better results (as best you can prove in a none scientific way)?
5/ Or do you just eat and drink as normal and still get great results? (you bastard)
Thanks,
Marj
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Sep 2015
9:47am, 25 Sep 2015
6,973 posts
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Autumnleaves
1) - No, other than carb loading the day before which can't really be counted as a diet
2) See above!
3) I have periodically cut out bread/gluten (digestive issues) but after reading an article about ensuring a varied diet I've tried this approach recently and it seems just as effective if not more so.
4) No - at my level of running I'd be surprised it was worth the faff of cooking different meals for different members of the family
5) Largely yes - don't drink alcohol the days before a race, traditionally something like lasagne the night before. I don't know if you would class my results as 'great' but they're ok for me!
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Sep 2015
9:53am, 25 Sep 2015
11,293 posts
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Ultracat
1) no
2) no
3) cut down on alcohol.
4) cut out gluten and dairy most of the time and I feel much better on it.
5) I tend to eat my normal diet in run up to marathon. Having to eat out the night before can cause problems. I take my own breakfast.
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Sep 2015
10:03am, 25 Sep 2015
57,267 posts
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Gobi
I eat the same food as I do through normal training. There is no need to carb load as the taper and normal patterns ensure I am ready.
That said my last 2 dinners are usually
Steak 2 days out
Chicken pasta the night before
But then I probably eat red meat most Fridays and pasta most Saturdays unless I have Pizza
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Sep 2015
10:08am, 25 Sep 2015
6,912 posts
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simbil
^^ First para is what I do too. I don't eat much meat though.
Pre-race is basically the whole training period apart from your off-season rest 
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Sep 2015
10:24am, 25 Sep 2015
57,268 posts
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Gobi
Similar - I am not an excessive red meat eater but it has a place
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Sep 2015
12:31pm, 25 Sep 2015
10,816 posts
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Dvorak
1-4 no/ n/a
5 yes though I wouldn't describe the results as great
In relative terms though, some of my best results have come after the "least likely to feature in pre-race prep advice articles" conditions.
Basically don't turn up at the start pissed/hungover/ with dodgy guts, but feel relaxed and warmed up. The day before just eat and drink decently and don't overindulge; and avoid spicy foods. And don't tire yourself out. Advice may vary for performance/ long distance athletes.
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Sep 2015
2:23pm, 25 Sep 2015
223 posts
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tonyp2604
My answers:
1/ Do you follow a strict pre-race diet pattern? Carb loading, fat loading, other?
A - Not strict but do load up on carbs for about 4 days before race (I am assuming we are talking about long races such as half/full marathons here). I wouldn't bother changing my diet for any races such as 10k/10 miles and shorter.
2/ How far out from the race do you start it?
A - see 1; 4 days for full mara, but only 1/2 for half.
3/ Do you give up specific things and how afr out for those too?
A - Not really except alcohol for a few days before. I also try to avoid anything overly spicy/very fibrous to avoid a dodgy stomach the couple of days before.
4/ Have you tried various diets and have plumped for one because it gave you proven better results (as best you can prove in a none scientific way)?
A - Not really - I just tend to stick to what I do which is based on what I have read.
5/ Or do you just eat and drink as normal and still get great results? (you bastard)
A - see above - although I do tend to drink a bit more water than normal I suppose.
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Sep 2015
5:39pm, 25 Sep 2015
17 posts
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Komodo
The day before I try to go for a bigger lunch and not so big evening meal. Or at least try to get the evening meal eaten by 7. No alcohol the day before and keep well hydrated too.
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Sep 2015
7:16pm, 25 Sep 2015
6,533 posts
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100forRNIB
To be honest, apart from the obvious and not over indulging with the alcoholic beverages I've not detected a difference. But with marathoning running so many things can go wrong (or right) what you eat is minor in the overall picture. Last meal the night before a marathon is normally fish and chips as that doesn't have any digestive issues!!
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