Pre Race Nutrition! My favorite pre race foods and meals!

When it comes to tapering week for my marathons (or other races), nutrition and plenty of rest are my main focus! What are my nutrition must haves? The days leading into a race my nutrition looks like this..

4-6 days prior to the race...
High Protein and Fats, Low Carb
Foods and meals include - Chicken, salads, olive oils, vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower) almonds, walnuts, whey protein bars (whey protein, almond butter, agave maple syrup, coconut flour, oatmeal, pecans, vanilla extract)

1-3 days prior to the race...
High Carb, Moderate Protein, Low Fat
Foods and meals include - Quinoa (with peppers, olives, feta and sea salt) Clif Bars (high protein and regular) Sushi (typically trader joes sushi tray) Whey protein bars (heavier on the carbs) Blueberries (good antioxidants) Plenty of lemon water and electrolytes

The 3 days leading into a race I try to have 300 grams of carbohydrates each day and balancing the rest of my calories with protein and some fats. Foods that contain nutrient dense carbohydrates and still some protein and fats to fuel my body for race day!

The morning of the race, I will have a high protein clif bar and possibly a regular one too within the hour of the starting line along with coffee, water, and electrolytes.

These are my nutrition must haves prior to the race! After 10 marathons and various other half marathons and 10K races, this is what I found that works best for me!

Feel free to post comments on your pre race nutrition or favorite training foods!

Happy Nutritious Running :)

Twin Cities Marathon 2014 - Marathon Championships!

This year is the marathon championships for Twin Cities Marathon! I will be competing in the championships and my first race ever being considered a professional runner! I have been struggling with some minor injuries in my hip over the past month but after tapering all this week, it should be good to go! I am ready to set a new PR under 2:47:33. Olympic trails qualifying is the next big goal (under 2:43), but for Sunday I will run as fast as I can and hope for the best.

Here is the link to the Twin Cities Marathon Homepage -
https://www.tcmevents.org/events/medtronic_twin_cities_marathon_weekend_-_october_3-5_2014/marathon/

Here is a link for different downloads that will be helpful through out the marathon weekend for participants and spectators -
https://www.tcmevents.org/events/medtronic_twin_cities_marathon_weekend_-_october_3-5_2014/marathon/downloads/

Tracking Runners Through Out The Race - I am #27
http://www.mtectracking.com/

With less than 2 days to the start of the race, I am extremely nervous but so excited! My last race was in June at Grandma's Marathon where I set a new PR of 2:47:33. I am looking forward to what race day brings! Good luck to any other runners that will be competing this weekend! It should be a fun event!

Happy Marathon Day Running :)