Don’t run on empty

You’ve heard, probably many times, that “food is fuel,” and that’s especially true when it comes to running. All athletes should maintain a healthy diet, but what you eat and when is especially important for runners. Fail to fuel up properly before a marathon or half-marathon and you might not cross the finish line. This for many a preference. I prefer not to eat any food up to a distance of 6 Miles, Replenish your body improperly following a race and it may take you longer to recover.  There are four main elements to fueling your body properly as you ramp up to race day.

Carbs

Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of fuel during a run. Runners should get 60-70% of their calories from high-quality carbs. You should not eat refined carbs, such as sugar, soda, or white flour, because these foods cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, which could impair performance. Stored carbs, called glycogen, are held in reserve in your muscles and liver for use during workouts. When training for a long race, however, it’s important to increase your carb intake before the event.

 I recommend increasing your carb intake over several days instead of following a common practice of loading up on bread and pasta the night before a race.  That could leave you feeling bloated and cause stomach upset as you run. Though you should usually try to eat high-fiber complex carbohydrates, consuming high-fiber foods just before a run can actually impair performance. Fiber takes a long time to digest, and you need your body to direct its energy to run, not digestion. So avoid high-fiber foods like bran, beans, and broccoli for a couple of days before your big run. I recommend you should also avoid hard-to-digest, fatty foods

Protein

Protein helps your body rebuild muscle that is damaged during exercise. Most people get enough protein from a balanced diet that includes food such as lean meats, legumes, and low- or non-fat dairy products. Too much protein ( Meat) just before a race can negatively impact performance, because your body has to work to digest it, diverting energy from your run. 

Fat

Your body needs some fat to function and stay well hydrated.  Some healthy sources of fats are salmon, olive oil, and flaxseed. Don’t eat foods with high-fat content, however, because they can be hard to digest, and definitely limit fat consumption the morning of the race.

Water

Proper hydration during exercise is critical because your body loses so much water when you sweat.  Water helps your body eliminate the lactic acid it produces as you run. Having enough water and other fluids prevents dehydration, which can increase your heart rate, put you at greater risk of heat-related injury, and negatively impact your performance. You need to start upping your water intake two days before a big race.  Drink water or sports drinks, but avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine because they can be dehydrating. 

Watch what you eat and drink

You need to be very particular about what you eat just before, during, and just after a long race.  Eating the right foods can help you maximize your endurance and speed your post-race recovery.

The week before the race

As you taper down on mileage in preparation for a race, you also need to taper your diet, eating about 100 calories less per day for each mile less that you’re running. Beginning about four days before a 10K or a week before a half-or full marathon, focus your diet on the essentials: plenty of carbs, a moderate amount of protein, and a little fat.

The night before the race

Eat a dinner that will provide you with plenty of carbs. Now is not the time to try new or exotic food. Avoid acidic foods and anything that could cause heartburn or stomach upset…and don’t stuff yourself until you’re uncomfortable. Shape magazine recommends eating something like a salad of cooked quinoa mixed with grilled chicken, walnuts, and raisins to give you the fiber, protein, and fat you need in a meal that is easily digested and won’t leave you overstuffed. 

The morning of the race

Once again, this is not the time to try something new – stick to your usual run breakfast. Keep it light, and allow 3 hours to completely digest your meal. Make sure to include carbs, protein, and a little fat.  A whole-grain bagel or toast with a little peanut or almond butter is a good choice, and be sure to include fruit, juice, water, or a sports drink for fluids. Or try toast, yogurt, and a banana along with your beverages. Because running a marathon stresses your immune system, have an immune-boosting breakfast shake of orange juice, strawberries, walnuts, and glutamine (an amino acid). Be sure to hydrate again before race time.  Drink at least 24 ounces of water three hours before the race. Make sure you waiting an Hour after water before you eat.

During a long run

Many running experts have different recommendations for what to ingest during a long race. I recommend rehydrating with water or a sports drink throughout any run longer than 60 minutes to prevent dehydration. I recommend, drink every mile a mouth full throughout the race.  It’s also a good idea to drink a carb-rich sports drink or consuming gels or chews during long runs to maintain energy while avoiding spikes in blood sugar.  

After the race

After you cross the finish line, it’s important to get something to eat as soon as possible. For races taking an hour or less, follow your run with a snack that contains both carbs and protein. Greek yogurt with granola, blueberries, and raspberries for protein, carbs, and antioxidants is a good option. Reload after a longer race, have a nutrition bar, bagel, or piece of fruit within 15 minutes of crossing the finish line because this is when muscles can absorb glycogen most readily. Getting protein as well will help your body start to repair your muscles.

  After you cool down, try to eat a full meal containing carbs, protein, and fat within about an hour. Pasta with meat sauce is a good option.  Continue to eat high-carb foods for a full day following the race to rebuild your glycogen reserves. 
By eating well before a race, getting the right nutrients while you run, and refueling the right way, you won’t find yourself running on empty in your quest for the finish line.

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Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or registered dietitian. All my advice is based on my own personal experiences. If you feel you have a medical problem or are in need of professional help please contact a doctor.

Always consult your doctor before starting a new exercise and/or diet program.