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Click to view Jasonhomey's profile Expert
Jasonhomey
45 posts since
Jul 19, 2004

Sep 14, 2007 10:16 PM

Pre-Marathon Meals

This really is also a question for the night before long runs as well, but what is a good thing to eat before the marathon. I know you are supposed to drink a lot of water and all that stuff, but I feel like i have the worlds smallest bladder so this year during training, I have tried to avoid drinking a ton the night before and morning of long runs. I had to stop during my last marathon to go to the bathroom and it caused my legs to tighten up. I try having a banana and some energy jelly beans the morning of, and so far, no urge to pee. I know pastas and stuff are good for the night before, but frankly, i never cared for pasta. I do eat a great deal of carbs just by my regular eating habits. Would a meal of chicken and noodles with mashed potatoes be a good meal the night before?
Click to view jonathanCSU's profile Amateur
jonathanCSU
32 posts since
Apr 20, 2003
1. Sep 14, 2007 10:27 PM in response to: Jasonhomey
Boy, it's such a personal thing. I heard of everything from a pizza and a quart of ice cream to lentils and rice with olive oil and everything in between. Stick with what's worked best for you in your training. The marathon is just like your longest runs, only a bit longer perhaps.

Timing of eating is almost as important as what you eat so keep that in mind too.

OK, so my preference is not to eat too much the night before. At the end of a taper I already feel bloated and heavy. I'll make sure I get upearly enough to have a decent breakfast about 3 hours before the start, and a little snack an hour before and then rely on the carbs in the sports drink and some GU packs to see me thru...my 2 cents
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Click to view VictorN's profile Legend
VictorN
406 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
2. Sep 15, 2007 9:22 AM in response to: Jasonhomey
I agree with Jonathan...what works best for you prior to a big race is very personal. Experiment and see what works. I find that for me I do better with a big breakfast 24 hours prior to a race and then eat a reasonable dinner, one that has a high percentage of carbs, but not necessarily a lot of volume.

My breakfast the morning of a race is pretty light and consumed at least 3 hours prior to start time.

Victor

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Click to view StPauligirl's profile Legend
StPauligirl
244 posts since
Nov 27, 2006
3. Sep 15, 2007 11:20 AM in response to: Jasonhomey
No! you aren't supposed to drink a lot of water 'and stuff'! but you have found that out...drink enough to be hydrated but don't over do it. Eating enough carbs in your regular diet is great, like yu said, I don't think there is a need to 'carbo load' if you eat well all the time. Beofre long runs and races I eat the same as I do every day, but I might have a bit more, maybe dessert, but not a large volume. I also might eat a larger lunch the day before...but not a big dinner. I like to eat my last big meal before 5-6pm the night before marathon / ultras.
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Click to view bowulf's profile Pro
bowulf
103 posts since
Nov 30, 2005
4. Sep 15, 2007 3:28 PM in response to: Jasonhomey
Mind you I am a marathon newbie (training for my first), I also plan to stick with what has been working for me during the training. That is one of the reasons for the long runs to discover what works and what doesn't. I try to make sure I am well hydrated to not start in a deficit before a long (18+) mile run. I definitely don't carbo-loading, but that's just my diet.
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Click to view mcsolar99's profile Legend
mcsolar99
1,018 posts since
Aug 14, 2007
5. Sep 16, 2007 10:30 PM in response to: Jasonhomey
ditto what everyone else has said: experiment to find out what works for you, then stick with it.

me: pasta for lunch, sandwich for dinner. cereal or oatmeal (half serving) with soy milk for breakfast. in other words, boring, boring, boring! when i travel for some races, i find a subway for dinner the night before. it's boring, safe, and works for me.
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