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Pre-race pick me up

derek5's picture
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started by derek5 on July 21, 2008

I need some advice on pre-race nutrition. I know many people use caffeine or Gu around 30 minutes before a race, but I have somewhat of a dilemma. Caffeine in general gives my body the opposite affect then it does for most. After about 30 minutes I could take a nap. Also, Gu of all kinds doesn't seem to give me that needed pick me up especially for shorter races. I have tried energy drinks with vitamin b2 and ginseng, but still no luck. Is there anything else out there?

Tags: food
tritoride28's picture
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tritoride28 posted 11 weeks ago.

I go low-tech and eat a banana or two before a race with a swallow of water. I dont hit the packets of stuff, sport beans or hammer gel, until after the swim and about half way through the bike (depending on the length of the course).

TryScott's picture
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TryScott posted 11 weeks ago.

Caffeine doesn't appear to do crap for me either. My guess is that nothing will make a worth-while difference. I do the usual pre-race nutrition to make sure I have enough carbs, water, and natural sugar (fruits), but nothing special.

grindylow2000's picture
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grindylow2000 posted 11 weeks ago.

pb and honey sandwich and/or powerbar for me depending on distance

TriSooner's picture
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TriSooner posted 11 weeks ago.

Like the other comments here, try low-tech.

chris91180's picture
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chris91180 posted 11 weeks ago.

+1 on low tech. I just read thru the August issue of Triathlete mag. Andy Potts says he fuels for a HIM with a muffin or two in the morning, and hydrates with Powerade. Uses 2 24 oz. bottles of Powerade on the bike. That's it. Trial and error is probably your best bet though. Everyone's different.

beads1985's picture
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beads1985 posted 11 weeks ago.

It is up to you to figure out your own personal fuel mix.
I am a banana, whole wheat toast(or bagel) with a little peanut butter, coffee and some gatorade on the way to the race.

If it is a longer I have an ensure as well.

Nothing to it, but to do it

laprokop's picture
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laprokop posted 11 weeks ago.

Banana is the way to go. I try not to take the GU until the half-way point in the bike I do mostly Olympic but that strategy will have to change for the 1/2 ironmans I am doing at the end of this year as well as the Ironman I am doing next year.

advobwhite's picture
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advobwhite posted 11 weeks ago.

find an advocare dealer and try spark or slam. those are the only 2 energy things that i've found help before any workouts or competitions...in my ultimate frisbee tourney i had a spark mixed w/ a gallon of water and was good to go for the full 4 or 5 games we played.

KevDaddy's picture
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KevDaddy posted 11 weeks ago.

+1 on the low tech approach-

Most everyday, I eat oatmeal w/ banana and a little milk for breakfast. On a race day I eat the same thing and add in a powerbar or clif bar w/ a little gatorade.

Everyone is different, so what works for me may not work for you. All I am saying is that for me, I don't really change at all- I simply add a little more. I haven't taken on a 140.6 yet, so I don't know if it will work for that distance. It has worked for the couple 70.3s I have done.

Good luck!

KevDaddy

xc800runner's picture
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xc800runner posted 11 weeks ago.

EPO seems to work wonders for the guys in France...

Plus, they don't test you if you're not winning any money.

Socket's picture
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Socket posted 11 weeks ago.

Just a normalish breakfast at least 1 hour before for me (sans dairy products). I tried stuffing an egg/cheese/bacon/bagel sandwich 5 minutes before a 10k last year... didn't work out.

bluebirdbiker's picture
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bluebirdbiker posted 11 weeks ago.

Nobody mentions protein! It is important that you go in with some. Sure carbs are good (high GI foods like bagel), especially with a high GI are rapidly digested and absorbed and result in marked spikes in blood sugar levels so that all the muscles will get the sugar from the bloodstream. But at least 20g of protein should be there. Recent studies show that people that have taken in protein prior to workout recover better and the protein is important to overall workout. You might give it a try.

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beads1985's picture
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beads1985 posted 11 weeks ago.

bluebirdbiker wrote:
Nobody mentions protein! It is important that you go in with some. Sure carbs are good (high GI foods like bagel), especially with a high GI are rapidly digested and absorbed and result in marked spikes in blood sugar levels so that all the muscles will get the sugar from the bloodstream. But at least 20g of protein should be there. Recent studies show that people that have taken in protein prior to workout recover better and the protein is important to overall workout. You might give it a try.

I did mention peanut butter, and Ensure which both have protien ;-)

Nothing to it, but to do it

bluebirdbiker's picture
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bluebirdbiker posted 11 weeks ago.

PB not high enough! :-)

BBB
There are no excuses - so don't look for them. As a product of your own choices, you directly determine your life outcomes.
Don't think, just do.
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charlie6460's picture
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charlie6460 posted 11 weeks ago.

Applesauce, dry oatmeal, protein powder, instant coffee, little water.

Doesn’t taste good but it has slow and fast carbs, protein, and caffeine.

dollfin04's picture
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dollfin04 posted 10 weeks ago.

charlie6460 wrote:
Applesauce, dry oatmeal, protein powder, instant coffee, little water.

Doesn’t taste good but it has slow and fast carbs, protein, and caffeine.

ditto except I use egg whites and milk instead of protein powder and I drink my coffee in a cup! This concoction does taste pretty good!

http://dollfinkate.blogspot.com/

"No Pain, No Gain!" ;)

daveg's picture
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daveg posted 10 weeks ago.

oatmeal with milk, blueberries and syrup and a glass of oj as breakfast.
two spoonfulls of nutella just before.
sip water and blue gatorade.
amino vital with grape juice on the bike.
gu at end of the bike and on the run.
i have never tried hammer or powerbar but will do so on my next ride.