My daughter's swim coach also told her that she should eat a lot of pasta a few days before the meet but not the night before.
O Fortified One, your daughter's coach is correct - the carb-loading is most effective up to, but not after, the 18-24 hour mark before the meet (i hear varying numbers there)... apparently the digestion system needs some time to best break down and process the carbs, and for whatever reason, it takes a while.
That being said, its probably not a good idea to go :banana: :banana: (bananas) by driving up to Philly for a Pat's cheesesteak the night before...
I've eaten just about anything I want and not experienced any bad effects. I prefer to be slightly full rather than hungry. Especially during long meets where there isn't a lot of opportunity to eat much during the meet. I ate a huge breakfast (at IHOP) last weekend about 2 hours before doing the postal 3000 and had one of my best swims ever (dropped 2 min from last year's time).
oh allen, that's a huge meal! i could never eat that much prior - usually only a bagel or an egg biscuit. I do drink gatorade throughout the meet.
"50%" gatorade? Does that mean you water yours down? why is that?
I've tried to eat different things over the years, the problem is my stomache hasn't been liking that much the last couple of years so I get an upset stomache sometimes. Now it's usally oatmeal, but last night I had some cream of wheat and went to the pool and felt good so I might switch to that.
Quicksilver:
Endurox (after exercise) and Accelerade (before and during) are powders that you mix with water. You can find them at a GNC store or any bike shop. Those triathletes you see are probably drinking a 50/50 combo of accelerade and water during practice. You get the same effect with a gel and some water. They all have that 4:1 carb to protein ratio that is supposed to be so good.
P.S. I never put maple syrup on my pancakes. I just eat them as is.
Quicksilver:
I'll check out that link. But pancakes aren't loaded with sugar if you make them right. And they are easily digestible, which is a good pre-race thing. Endurox is a good recovery drink too.
You're right about this. (unless they're covered in maple syrup) Too much sugar in the am just doesn't agree with me.
Haven't tried the Endurox yet...but the triathletes at the pool grab those bike bottles at every lull inbetween the sets. It looks like a home brewed drink....I think.
My stomach gets upset easily, so lighter is better. A trick that a friend taught me is to eat a protein bar (not an energy bar) about 2 hours before a swim. It seems to give me time to digest it and it keeps blood sugar levels fairly even. I then take 12 Oz of Accelerade 10 minutes before race start. For races of 2 hours or less, you generally have enough glycogen to not need much breakfast and for longer races, you usually are getting feedings from your boat, so it's still a non-issue.
-LBJ
Keep it simple, eat a well balanced portion of food.
Some complex carbs, a little sugar (Carbs) toast read the labels on the bread.
Fat I like butter the body is used to it.
Some protien an egg or 2 I now like them poached.
Bacon has fat and protien.
Have you ever had stomach pains while swimming, I have, even after taking the super drinks. I have even during a race and seen my favorite meal on the side of a boat, Bacon and eggs with home fries.
I have seen people at meets gulping down these little bottles with the label "5 hour energy" drinks. They apparently have lots of amino acids, L-carnitine and other stuff. Does anyone think that really helps pre-race?
Thanks Alison. I don't really drink during workouts. But I might look into that for a recovery formula.
And George...this is something only an open water swimmer could get away with.
I can just hear the meet anouncer..."Alright. We got a bacon and egg spill in Lane Four. Someone get the net." :eek:
