What to eat before a 5K race.

[morandanny]

I am running a 5k on Sunday and I am wondering if there are any suggestions on what and when to eat the morning of the race or even the night before. The race starts at 10AM.

[Greg_M Graduate]

For 5k its not such a big deal. Evening before just be sensible! No pints of martini or sessions on absinthe or anything.

Just a lightish breakfast a couple of hours before hand should be fine. Make sure you are reasonably hydrated. It doesn't need so much planning as longer distances. ParkRun is at 9:00 and I tend to just get up (well a drink at least) and go and breakfast afterwards.

[CaroleC Graduate in reply to Greg_M]

Lol Greg, SNAP!

Glad we're all shouting off the same sheet!

CaroleC

[CaroleC Graduate in reply to Greg_M]

Absinthe Greg? Really?

CaroleC

[Greg_M Graduate in reply to CaroleC]

mis-spent childhood

[CaroleC Graduate]

Hi,

5K is not a long race...you certainly won't need to carb load like you would for a half or full marathon. Remember you burn roughly 100 calories a mile (dependent on your weight) so you aren't making too many demands energy wise. Make sure you eat a decent meal the night before, don't eat more, just eat healthy. Have pasta if you want. Make sure you are hydrated for the race.

In the morning, you want to make sure you've eaten at least an hour or more before running. You don't need anything huge, cereal, toast, a banana, yoghurt, whatever. Nothing too grainy/wholemeal or citrus (no OJ) which may cause stomach problems for you during the race (if you get my drift). My favourite is a couple of poached or scrambled eggs on toast.

Good luck!

CaroleC

[Gridlet Graduate]

Sounds like good advice here morandanny, I always run better when I've drank lots of water the day before and just before I go out. Good luck with the race and don't forget to eat afterwards to recover!