Half Marathon Nutrition.

Posted by Fruitcake on July 18, 2013 at 7:57am

Hi fellow runners. I am doing my first half marathon at age 55 this coming October. Do you guys fuel up before, and/or during the race?

I was thinking of maybe grabbing a banana 30 min before the race, and carrying some coconut water and daterade (sp?) with me....Any other suggestions, support, experiences? Thanks

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  • shawn woolard July 18, 2013 at 3:11pm

    I agree I fuel up the 2 days before an event I increase my intake and I like to go to mono meals just bananas(30 + a day guys and 25 for gals) and water with one meal blended with kale (gotta have my KALE) but I find this is easier on the digestive track and I feel full of energy come race day. I might have only 1 banana upon waking but at least 1 1/2  hours prior to race to help with a morning movement before race. Water only for me but be careful if you carry water on your training runs that you drink about the same amount on the day of your race. The water stops are abundant its ok to skip or hit up every other one. I pack my fruits in the drop off bags for after the race. Melissa I like using Runner's World training plans it runs on training peaks and useful with GPS/tracking goals/shoe mileage/meals and the plans are not overpriced and their are plenty to choose from for your goal pace. But whatever plan you choose practice your eating and drinking habits on your practice and long runs. Don't try datorade/or anything else for the first time on race day. 

    • Fruitcake > shawn woolard July 19, 2013 at 4:38am

      This has helped me a lot, thanks Shawn. I was going to try datorade on the day of the race, but will try it on a long run and see if it works for me. I am more inclined to run on very little fuel and fuel up after the race. Thanks again.

    • JD > shawn woolard July 19, 2013 at 2:12am
      On race day do what works and is easiest even if deviation from normal. Arnstein tried whole foods at ws100 but i think had issues. I saw him at another race 2 years later eating clif gels.
  • melissa fox July 18, 2013 at 12:33pm

    Did you do a specific half-marathon training plan (Question for everyone)? I'm interrested in doing one in september so I'm wondering.

    Might as well ask KICKASS fruitarian runners ;)

  • Dennis Price July 18, 2013 at 9:25am

    Yeah same thing.  FIll up the night before.  The next morning have something light before your race if you choose just make it small.  You can definitely take dateorade and coconut water with you.  Your body can handle only so much sugar per hour while it's trying to run a fast race.  That's why you want to fill up on your glycogen stores in days previous and after the race and not before.  No need to consume much during the run or it will slow you down.  Most races provide gatorade, but yeah you could just bring your own better stuff instead.  Just keep it light to run light.

    • Fruitcake > Dennis Price July 19, 2013 at 4:38am

      Thanks Dennis. Good advice.

    • banana - boy 75% raw > Dennis Price July 18, 2013 at 10:06am

       Funny I  also signed up for my first half marathon  in october  : )  

      I am thinking i might carry a few dates to eat for last 45 minutes of the run water is provided 

      plenty of sleep water sugar 2-3 days before    eat yesterday for today 

  • Eliot W. Collins July 18, 2013 at 8:16am

    I eat my regular dinner the evening before a race.  I run better on an empty stomach, so I do not eat anything the morning of a race. I do not carry anything to drink; water is always available. If it was not, then I can complete a half-marathon without drinking (or eating) anything. So far, so good. I have never been dehydrated. Fruitcake - I am older than you. 

    • Fruitcake > Eliot W. Collins July 18, 2013 at 8:19am

      Good point(s). I normally do my runs without eating anything. Today I ran 14km (longest so far) on an empty tummy and with a small bottle of water. I would imagine fuelling would be more important during a full marathon. What do you eat the night before? Thanks Eliot.

    • Eliot W. Collins > Fruitcake July 18, 2013 at 8:42am

      Fresh fruits and vegetables, same as always. Whatever is in season.

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