As you prepare the night before your race, you may wonder what you can do to properly fuel. Proper nutrition the night before the race can have a huge impact on how well you perform in your race. It's just like a car: if you put the right gas in your car, it will run more efficiently. Your body works the same way, so what can you do to properly fuel? Certain tips, like proper hydration and your pre-race meal, will give you a competitive edge and prevent you from being sidelined due to lack of energy. So here are the smart ways to fuel the night before your race:
1. Water
Make sure you drink 8-10 glasses of water every day but this is especially critical in the day before the race. Proper hydration has major effects on your race and can help you avoid muscle cramping, speed up your recovery and run your miles well. Proper hydration is a core component of your race fuel so make sure you drink up the night before your race. Just only have the last glass before you head to bed or you will be making bathroom breaks all night long.
2. The Right Amount of Pasta
One of the biggest mistakes many runners make is they overload on carbohydrates the night prior to their race. The results are profound: you will awake having digestive issues, feeling completely bogged down and being bloated. So the solution is to have more carbs for several days leading up to the race so that you will not jar your body and you will still store the glycogen needed for your race.
3. Add Some Electrolytes
As you watch Michael Jordan chug down a Gatorade in a commercial, you may wonder if this will help you in your next race. Gatorade and other commercialized electrolyte fluid is helpful for those running longer distances but if you are just running a 5k, this is not necessary. You can however choose more natural options with less sugar, like coconut water. Coconut water will balance your potassium level and help you to stay hydrated.
4. Have a Smoothie
Want to get plenty of antioxidants in your body to fuel your race day? Then create a fruit smoothie with strawberries, coconut water, spinach and some chia seed. This shake will provide your body with antioxidants, electrolytes, iron and protein. This just may end up being your pre race drink because it is just that good for you!
5. Mental Fuel
I have to list mental fuel because as a trainer I have trained tremendously talented athletes many times that just needed to get in the right mental frame. Envision a great performance for the next day and just believe. If you get in the right mindset you will accomplish amazing things!
6. Relaxation
Take a deep breath, close your eyes and just relax. If you can practice relaxation techniques you will find yourself running stronger. You will be amazed at how this affects your performance.
7. A Positive Attitude
70% of your race performance is mental, the rest is talent and training, so do you have what it takes? If you embrace a positive attitude you will realize proper fuel is all effective, but at the end of the day the difference between first and last is largely influenced by a positive attitude.
Hope you have enjoyed my tips on fueling the night before the race and that you do everything it takes to have a great race. What do you eat the night before the race? Have a great race!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it a good idea to drink Gatorade the night before my race?
- Absolutely! Drinking Gatorade or any sports drink with electrolytes can help top up your energy stores and keep you hydrated for the big day. Just don't overdo it – your body can only store so much, and you don't want to feel bloated.
- How should I hydrate before a big race like a marathon?
- Hydrating isn't just a race day thing. Make sure you're drinking plenty of fluids in the days leading up to the race. On the night before, sip water or an electrolyte drink throughout the evening. It's all about balance – you want to be well-hydrated, but not running to the bathroom every hour!
- I've got a 10-mile race coming up. Any tips for fueling up the night before?
- For a long-distance run like that, focus on complex carbs for dinner – think pasta, rice, or sweet potatoes. Pair it with some lean protein and veggies, and you're golden. This combo gives you sustained energy that'll last throughout your race.
- Should I load up on electrolytes before my race?
- Definitely! Electrolytes help regulate nerve and muscle function, hydrate the body, and rebuild damaged tissue. Drinking an electrolyte-infused beverage like Gatorade the night before can help, but don't forget to keep your electrolyte levels up during the race as well.
- I'm prepping for the LA Marathon 2024. When should I drink Gatorade, before or after my workouts?
- Both! Drinking Gatorade before your workouts can provide the necessary carbs and electrolytes for energy and hydration. Post-workout, it can help replenish what you've lost in sweat and support recovery. It's a great one-two punch for your marathon training.