Q: Dinner the night before a race?
Lauren,
What do you eat the night before a morning race?
–Josh, New York
A:
Josh–
When I’m traveling I can’t cook for myself, so I order something on the menu resembling grilled or roasted chicken, rice or potatoes, and some kind of vegetable. I avoid creamy, heavy, fibrous, or risky foods.
Water with no ice is best for digestion, and sometimes i’ll have a glass of red wine if I’m feeling uptight. But the key is eating a snack bar with a small glass of water in the middle of the night when I wake up to pee, even if I’m not hungry. Tops up the glycogen stores, and choosing something balanced (Picky Bars for example) helps you avoid a sugar high, like some other bars.
-Lauren