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?
Its all in their head. If they race w/o it, they will feel like they're missing their mojo. I used to use Sobe Adreneline Rush and Red Bull - it gave me wings. After swimming a couple rinkydink meets w/o use of the bulletcans, I came to the realization that if I wasn't prepared to swim well, I didn't deserve any artifical help, and if I truly was prepared to swim well, I would do just fine w/o.
Wow, this thread just goes to prove that all of us are so different in what our bodies use to best perform.
My rule of thumb is: never to add something before a meet or long swim that I have not gotten accustomed to the year prior. My body revolts if I try to add something unusual, like Gu, etc. My heart rate went off the charts (not a good thing).
Additionally, is carbo loading truly a benefit for 4 or 5 events in a swim meet? I kinda just eat the same type of things but add more fluids to replace electrolytes. Oh, I will eat MORE of those foods, but I never experiment and add something I haven't tried out.
Before a very long ocean swim, I plan on changing my eating plan way in advance so my body can get accustomed to the changes.
For me (and only me), I do best on protein for sustained long-term energy. But to thwart off feet and leg cramps (lack of sodium), bananas are a miracle fruit!!!
I have seen many swimmers who are going to do a one mile swim carbo load to excess. The day of the swim, they feel like X!)??X !
Common Sense!!!
In the morning...get a couple doughnuts and coffee from the snack bar.
After warmup and during the first few events... throw in some salty popcorn and a coke. Towards midday git a hamburger with cheese and another coke. That'll get ya goin..
In the morning...get a couple doughnuts and coffee from the snack bar.
After warmup and during the first few events... throw in some salty popcorn and a coke. Towards midday git a hamburger with cheese and another coke. That'll get ya goin..
omg i could never eat like that the day of a meet. (well, never a hamburger, i'm a veggie)....my stomach is turning just thinking of trying to consume doughnuts and coke before racing....bleh
Not food before a meet. We just had lunch potato, corn, carrots, broccolli, onions, pasta shells, red peppers, grape tomatoes and some moose sausage, The moose was shot by a neighbour. I love moose sausage.
The meal had lots of carbs a little fat and some protein. Waiting for tonight Moose Steak.
Early in morning of meet day, egg mcmuffin and oj. During the meets drinking gatorade and water, and nibbling on fig newtons. We have a teammate that just munches through the snack table, if it is on the table she is eating it, and she swims very well. We all get nausea watching her eat one more brownie or one more doughnut. Our favorite after meet eats is diner food in NJ. The best omelets and honkin cinnamon rolls to die for.
