Just wondering if anyone has come across the same situation regarding breakfast before the early morning practices. I usually get up about forty five minutes before the start of our six am practice session. And during those waking moments I indulge myself in two cups of coffee before heading out the door.
I've noticed that despite good nutrition, I can run out of energy (maybe 3/4 's of the way during workout) on the meager twenty ounces of my favorite beverage for breakfast. However, on mornings that I manage to get down a bowl of cereal, or maybe even just a banana...there's plenty of "gas in the tank" so to speak.
Even though the days with a bit of breakfast result in more stamina for pool time, the stomache doesn't always agree with the early morning snack. I guess doing over a hundred and fifty or so flip turns could make anyone a bit green.
After practice eating is not a problem. A side of beef or few tuna sandwiches usually hit the spot. Does anyone have some thoughts on their pre-practice rituals? I've seen swimmers slurping that goop out of a tube stuff and it just doesn't look very good.
Former Member
I usually get up at 5 AM for a 6 AM practice, and I eat some dry cereal with some pecan pieces on top and drink a glass of iced tea (real cold mornings I will have hot tea).
This seems to give me the energy I need without causing any problems. I imagine that a banana might weigh pretty heavy on the stomach, though I know they are a good source of potassium.
I had the same problem until I started eating before my workout at 6:15 AM. I now have a half english muffin with peanut butter or Nutella, and my energy is generally much better.
Jim
I am embarrassed to admit it, but I go for Dunkin Donuts before and after practice on some days. Yum yum. The more I swim the more I can eat -- simple arithmetic.:D
Thanks to you both for the feedback.
Peanut butter and jelly on toast seems to do the trick very nicely.
I've always had a fast metabolism, and nothing is worse than being hungry during a long set in the pool. aside from running on an empty tank.
It's interesting though that a few of my triathlete friends will deliberately not eat before workouts in an attempt to teach their bodies how to tap into reserve fuel storage. They do however look like all skin and bones.
Now if there was only a way to disconnect the toaster bell so my wife won't wake up while I putter around in the kitchen.:)
I've asked the same question to many of my fellow swim team friends. The most popular pre-workout food by far is a banana. Gives enough energy to get through the workout, easy on the tummy, and best of all, comes in its own package!
:)
I'm always running late so I make sure my car is stocked with Gatorade and I grab a banana and a bar on my way out the door. I consume the bar and banana in the car for the half hour commute to practice. I wash them down with a pint of gatorade and have the second pint after workout (I've found that the 32oz bottles work great and I buy the makes 9 gallons powder mix at Costco.
This routine has worked well for me for the past several years. In February when I crank up my yardage and time in water (our team goes nuts over the February Fitness Challenge) I find that I need to have a spare quart of gatorade with me on the pool deck to get me through 2.5 hours of workout.
