quote:<HR>Originally posted by mike75:
I'm running my first marathon next week and want to eat before hand- what do you suggest?

Should I eat? If so- what?
Should I just skip it?<HR>

I wish you had more time to experiment with your 'morning of the marathon' meal, because you should never try anything new the day of.

I am assuming that since you are within a week of your marathon, you are likely in taper and have no remaining long runs to complete before the big day. So you really don't have any opportunity to experiment with something different at this point.

The night before make sure your meal has some carbs and some protein. Have a late night snack (hour before bed) of a banana, toast and honey or a bagel. Then in the morning of the marathon hydrate quite a bit within an hour of the event and stick with the banana for food to avoid indigestion. Then hydrate / fuel during the event itself.

Good luck!

I agree with the "don't change it" at the last minute it.

Having said that, I've always run better on an empty stomach. However, my goal is to run much longer distances where I will need to have to refuel. So, I started having something to eat before runs. After experimentation, I found that I can comfortably down a shake an hour before running and then take fluids and even snack on things like bars during the run.

I also think, like all other things, your body can adapt to it. Try different approaches and figure out what works best. I made the mistake of having oatmeal before a long run and felt it about mile 3 ... on the other hand, having a shake or even something light like a granola bar seems to stay down fine.

I get nauseous if I eat fruit before a run but am fine eating it after, and actually like it because it is refreshing and rehydrating.

Jeremy

Look into RaceReady shorts. They have webbed pockets all around and work great w/ GU, coins, credit cards, whatever. I try to run as bare as possible and these solved that problem for me.

I usually eat just a bowl of oatmeal - its just enough to put something in the tummy and its not super heavy for me either. Depends on what you like. Maybe half a bagel or banana might help too - or energy bar.

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"Be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you." I Samuel 12:24